Lynda Duffy from Glencorrib, Co Mayo and Gayle Williamson...

Lynda Duffy from Glencorrib, Co Mayo and Gayle Williamson from Lurgan, Co Armagh, vowed to take part in the beauty pageant. Lynda, 22, said: "Obviously I don't agree with something so barbaric but to be honest it never even crossed my mind not to go. I knew about the stoning before I became Miss Ireland and two weeks ago I heard about the other girls not going. But I just don't think that one person is going to make a difference and there's not much point in me not going. It was a decision that was left up to me, I didn't really talk to the organisers about it."
And Miss Northern Ireland Gayle, 22, added: "You have to respect everyone's individual decision but I think you can do just as much about the situation by going to Nigeria and making your voice heard. We are going to be doing hundreds of interviews and that offers a much better opportunity to draw attention to this woman's plight than not turning up at all. I don't think there is one finalist going there who doesn't think it's outrageous but boycotting the event won't solve anything. You can't convey any message with a silent protest - and that's exactly what boycotting the event is."