All outstanding disciplinary proceedings against teachers and judges implicated in an alleged competition-fixing controversy have been abandoned by the worldwide foremost governing body for Irish dancing, An Coimisiún Le Rincí Gaelacha (CLRG). A dossier hinting at comprehensive competition manipulation, linked to an event in 2019, was presented to the CLRG in July 2022 and subsequently leaked on the internet.
The file included screen captures of text exchanges that seemed to expose dance instructors’ attempts to secure top marks from their peers for their students. Initially, a dozen instructors were implicated, but the figure quickly rose to 44. The CLRG assured a disciplinary investigation into the instructors under scrutiny.
An autonomous panel, comprising former high-ranking garda, retired county registrars, and practicing barristers, was assembled to probe the allegations. These proceedings commenced in August of the previous year with an aim of addressing all 44 cases by mid-year. But reportedly, only nine cases had reached resolution thus far.
The CLRG, however, affirmed its decision to halt further disciplinary actions against those implicated in historical misconduct at Irish dancing competitions following complaints received in 2022. The teachers impacted were informed of CLRG’s challenges in securing a competent witness to deliver a witness statement and oral evidence during the hearings. The witness used in prior hearings was reportedly no longer accessible, leading the CLRG’s ethics committee, Coiste Faire, to conclude that there was no realistic likelihood of a guilty judgement being reached against any of the persons implicated. Consequently, the CLRG has informed the affected parties that it would not persist with the case and would formally retract its complaint.
The representative for the CLRG addressed queries on Wednesday, confirming that individuals involved were being informed about the decision to halt disciplinary procedures. The spokesman emphasised that maintaining the integrity of competition and effective judgement has always been vital at CLRG contests. Enhanced rules of competition and arbitration, which were set in place before the 2023 All Ireland Championships, are still rigorously maintained and exerted in all CLRG contests.
The spokesman also noted an overhaul in the process of selecting judges for tournaments. All registered 2,300 CLRG teachers and members are now part of the decision-making process.
Further, the representative informed that the organisation is currently in the midst of an organisational revamp and evolution, fuelled by the proposals from an autonomous strategic evaluation conducted the previous year. Appointment of a fresh managing director has been made in line with this transformation, which will also involve more upcoming changes that include the creation of a new, sturdy disciplinary practice code.