Murder victim's daughter crowned Miss NI

Published Tuesday, 22 June 2010

The new Miss Northern Ireland has told UTV she just wanted her time to shine and not to dwell on the past after her mother Grace Moore was murdered four years ago.

Lori Moore, 19, was crowned Miss NI in Belfast on Monday night in the Europa ahead of second-placed 21-year-old Nicky Cartmill and Julieanne Elliot, 18, who came third.

The teenager's 38-year-old mum was raped and murdered in her west Belfast flat after a night out in the city centre four years ago.

Lori was just 16 when she found her mother's body at home.

The keen sportswoman said her mum was an inspiration to her.

"I think many people have troubles in their lives, mine has just been more obvious," she told UTV.

"Yes, my mum was an inspiration - she herself was very glamorous, so I think she would have really liked me to enter this competition.

"And I know she would have been proud of me."

The beauty queen also loves musical theatre and said she does not want her past to overshadow what she has achieved.

"I think I do have a past but I have so much more than my past. I do so much.

"I love musical theatre, I do sports and I don't want it to seem that I just got through because of that.

"I do feel I have got through on my own merit," she added.

Lori will now go on to represent Northern Ireland in the Miss World contest in November in Vietnam.

"I wasn't expecting to win, I was just standing backstage ... I was so shocked and just really happy. I couldn't believe it - there were tears of joy."

Lori is a student at Northumbria University, but now plans to take a year out as she will have a busy diary with public appearances as Miss NI.

Comments

15 Comments

Chittum in USA wrote (671 days ago):

She's not good looking at all, let alone "beautiful." Anyone with a millibrain knows why she got the crown.

Catherine in Co. Antrim wrote (697 days ago):

It is a sad day when people cannot accept the outcome of a Miss Northern Ireland competition - how pathetic these people are to suggest that Lori used her mother's death as a sympathy vote do they not understand that Lori has absolutely no control over what the press write. Do they think that she constantly wants to be reminded of the horrific murder of her mother? A competition like this is not just about beauty, it is the complete package, beauty, elegance, talent and personality all of which Lori has in abundance and this is clearly what the judges saw on the night. Yes, all the other contestants (all 25) were beautiful but as I said it's not just about beauty! I think Lori will be a great ambassador for our country and will do us proud at Miss World. It is now time that these hurtful comments stopped.

joshua g in belfast wrote (698 days ago):

George, don't get personal, I made a number of points that i thought should be highlighted, I also said before lori is a very beautiful girl, but I feel other girls were better on the night, I am entitled to my opinion wether you like it or not, however if you wish to get personal, go and learn how to spell...PORTGLENONE!!!!!

George in lisburn wrote (699 days ago):

to joshua green let me answer your questions. 1 Lori was asked by a photographer could it be her and her only that was chosen to model for this particular shoot. 2 The news item is always going to be used and i think its clear to see that Lori did not write the article and would rather that it never appeared. 3 your good at reading as the Sunday World do sponsor the event 4 the photo editor is obviously going to be a judge as they are the main sponsors you idiot 5 The owner of Port Glenown heat apologised to Lori after the event saying that he had not been able to make that heat and someone had to stand in for him. Had he had been at the original round Lori would have won hands down. Get a life Joshua you sad individual and let Lori get on with hers. Jealousy is an awful thing in life, you'll get no where with it

Lucy in Edinburgh wrote (700 days ago):

To all of you that have criticised Lori, you make me sick. I was a few years above Lori at school. Since the devasting death of her beautiful mother, Lori has not and never would use this as an excuse to gain any sort of attention. She was talented, beautiful and popular at school before this tragedy and shes a deserved winner. Her mother would so proud of her and we should be too! I admire her strength and determination to get where she is today! Those of you who think otherwise....no1 cares!

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