The reigning Rose of Tralee decided yesterday to withdraw from official duties for a number of weeks after being questioned by gardaí for alleged shoplifting.
Ms Tamara Gervasoni, who won the 2002 Rose of Tralee title for Italy in August, was arrested by gardaí at Tesco in Longford on Tuesday after being stopped by Tesco security staff. A file on the case will be sent to the DPP.
Yesterday the Festival of Kerry said the 22-year-old Rose had decided "to withdraw from official duties for the next number of weeks...to seek medical help and counselling regarding an eating disorder".
Ms Siobhán Hanley, the festival's chief executive, said this was "a brave step for Tamara to take". She said her family has requested that, at this sensitive time, she be allowed the necessary privacy and space to enable her to make a full recovery.
She added that Ms Gervasoni was a fantastic ambassador for the Festival of Kerry. "However, she now needs all of us to show our understanding and support," she said.
"The reported incident yesterday was most upsetting for Tamara. She's been so popular and has been under pressure, I guess. My concern now is that she gets back on her feet."
A statement issued by the festival and the Gervasoni family said: "Tamara wishes to thank everyone who has contacted her offering their support, and she looks forward to resuming her duties as the reigning Rose. Tamara wishes to make this issue public, as she is aware of the need to highlight this secret disease and its devastating consequences."
Ms Gervasoni's father is of Italian-Russian extraction and her mother is from Co Longford. She was studying in Italy last year when she entered the Rose of Tralee competition. Following her win, the BA graduate came to live in Longford and worked full-time doing "festival appearances".
Asked what would happen if Ms Gervasoni was unable to resume her duties, Ms Hanley said this was not of concern to her at the moment.