CLAIMS that Tamara Gervasoni, the troubled Rose of Tralee, is on the verge of giving up her crown are inaccurate and premature, it was claimed this week.

The Chief Executive of the Rose of Tralee Festival, Siobhan Hanley, was speaking in the light of reports over the weekend which suggested that Ms Gervasoni was about to resign in the light of her arrest last week following an alleged shoplifting incident in a Longford shopping centre.

After being questioned by Garda? in relation to the alleged theft of a pair of pyjamas costing less than ?25, Ms Gervasoni was reported to be seeking medical treatment and advice regarding an eating disorder and withdrew from public engagements, including the weekend?s planned switching on of the Christmas lights in Tralee.

Garda? have confirmed that a file is being prepared for submission to the DPP in relation to the alleged incident in Longford.

Commenting on the current situation, Ms Hanley confirmed that there have been no further developments since the Festival Committee first revealed Ms Gervasoni?s condition in a statement issued last Wednesday afternoon.

?Tamara is taking time off, as was explained last week, and reports that she is going to stand down have come about simply because some people have jumped to conclusions,? she said.

?She?s seeking medical help and we?re letting her get on with that.

?She is being assessed at the moment and we?ll review the situation, probably after Christmas.

?However, we?re not going to put a time limit on it, particularly as there are now no major functions scheduled until March.?