Bellamianta owner Linda Stinson said she would learn from the incident
A beauty company owner caught on camera calling a hotel guest names and making threats during an incident at a Co Donegal hotel has apologised for her actions.
The footage of Linda Stinson, who founded and owns the award-winning Bellamianta brand, went viral after being posted online.
In the video, Ms Stinson was involved in an exchange with a man who appeared to be waiting to collect a pizza in the lobby of the four-star Redcastle Hotel.
The video began with an exchange between the pair about each other’s clothing.
When he asks why she is still speaking to him, she responds with a remark telling him to “shut [his] mouth” and adds: “I will kill you.”
She also told the man to “go and f*** yourself” and used further insulting language, in which she used a derogatory term for disabled people.
In the footage, Ms Stinson denied an accusation from the man that he pushed her and insulted his appearance after he told her to “button it”.
Ms Stinson later issued a statement apologising for her behaviour.
“Many of you will have seen the video footage of me published by the media at the weekend,” Ms Stinson wrote in a message posted on social media.
“I want to sincerely apologise for the language I used. It was inappropriate and entirely unacceptable.
“I recognise that my words have caused hurt and distress, and I am deeply sorry. I take full responsibility for my actions and am committed to learning from this experience.
“I am truly sorry.”
Industry insiders said the episode could damage Bellamianta, which opened its first store at the Rushmere Shopping Centre in Co Armagh earlier this year.
Ms Stinson, from Co Tyrone, is a well-known face in the Irish beauty market. As well as founding Bellamianta, she developed the budget-friendly Iconic Bronze tanning range.
Bellamianta also holds an exclusive tanning and cosmetics contract with RTÉ’s Dancing with with Stars, providing beauty products to Irish celebrities and their dancing partners for nine years in a row.
In recent years, she has picked up numerous awards for her strong leadership and performance.
The businesswoman launched her company after a disaster wedding day tan gave her the idea of developing products with nurturing ingredients.
She initially operated the business from her garage before moving to a unit in Pomeroy, Co Tyrone.
She is one of the leading entrepreneurs in the Irish beauty industry and has appeared on the QVC shopping channel to promote her products.
The Redcastle Hotel was contacted for comment on the video.