The north Dublin hotel has pulled out of hosting a controversial children’s beauty pageant this weekend.
The child beauty pageant, organised by US company Universal Royalty, was to take place on Saturday at the four-star Bracken Court hotel in Balbriggan, Co. Dublin.
A statement released by the hotel said Universal Royalty “did not identify the true nature of the event” which was “not in keeping” with the family ethos of the business.
The decision was welcomed by Minister for Children Frances Fitzgerald.
Speaking on Morning Ireland this morning, Ms Fitzgerald said such contests were highly inappropriate for young children.
“In my view, it’s inappropriate sexualisation of very young children.
“And I welcome what the hotel has done," she said.
Independent senator and children’s rights activist Jillian Van Turnhout earlier claimed the contest should be cancelled as events like it “sexually exploit” children at a young age.
She also claimed other hotels had rejected bookings for the event and said they should be commended for doing so.
Since it was announced some months ago, it is believed that organisers of the Universal Royalty competition have struggled to find a venue in Ireland which would host the controversial event.
