Dublin Rose Suad Mooge says she is ‘shocked but not surprised’ by racist abuse

The Dublin Rose has been targeted by racist comments online

The Sligo-born Rose of Trallee star said she is "shocked but not surprised" at racist comments she received online claiming that she "is not Irish".

Speaking to RTE's Liveline, Suad said "it's part of the experience of growing up" as a person of colour in Ireland.

"It's just been a lot of 'you're not Irish', I think basically that's kinda been the general consensus on the socials.

"You know a lot of mentions about skin tone, religion and a lot of people saying 'you know, she had no Irish heritage, she was not born here' and yeah, just along those lines."

Suad said that although she has received similar comments before, she is surprised at the "volume of hate" directed towards her.

"It has been constant ever since being posted. It was ok, quiet for the first day and then it just went 'boom', mad overnight," she continued.

Suad explained that the comments do not phase her and that they will not deter her from taking part.

"No, absolutely not, never," she said.

"If anything I actually take pride in going forward for things like this. Considering the reaction that I've received, change is needed and I'm just grateful to be given the opportunity to be at the forefront of this and to represent other communities.

"And to show girls who kinda see themselves in me that 'you can go for this, this is open to you and there is no reason why not, you can go for this'."