Irish dancing community shocked by ‘cheating’ revelations

A scandal of corruption and result-rigging struck at the heart of the Irish dancing community last week, shocking some insiders.

The tight-knit world of Irish dancing was rocked when news emerged that an investigation would be launched following strong allegations that cheating was rife in competitions organised by An Coimisiún Le Rincí Gaelacha (CLRG), The Irish Dancing Commission – a powerful worldwide group with over 2,000 affiliated teachers.

Following the emergence of allegedly incriminating screenshots which are said to suggest that individuals had been offering judges ‘inducements’ to swing results in their favour, the UH contacted a number
of dancers and teachers across Tyrone.

However, while some declined to say anything at all, others were privately scathing in their condemnation of those they suspected to be responsible.

However, in spite of obvious widespread anger throughout the Irish dancing fraternity, nobody we spoke with was willing to make a public comment on the issue.

It is believed that the screenshots which led to the investigation implicate at least 18 individuals in the ring of corruption.

In response to the rapidly unfolding controversy, CLRG have hired a former Court of Appeal judge to head an investigation into the matter.

But one teacher we spoke with was keen to impress upon the public that the CLRG are only one of a number of competitive Irish dancing organisations operating here in the North, and many schools across Tyrone are unaffiliated with this particular group.

They also said that, while there are clearly some teachers who are willing to stoop to dishonest lows in pursuit of medals and recognition, most are hard-working and honest people who are in it simply for the love of traditional dancing and the improvement of their students.

In a statement issued to members, the CLRG said, “The evidence apparently dates back several years and identifies individuals allegedly offering various inducements to promote dancers to a higher than deserved placing at particular competitions.

“It is believed that there are a number of teachers and schools implicated in the allegations.”

In the same email they promise members that a throrough investigation will be launche dinto this “grossly unethical behaviour”.