大象传媒 pulls Irish dancing series over result fixing allegations

Image source, Shelly Allen Art / Getty Images

The 大象传媒 has ended the production of a documentary on Irish dancing following "serious allegations" of competition fixing.

The five-part series called Point Perfect was pulled by the broadcaster during early production, it said.

The Irish dancing organisation An Coimisi煤n Le Rinc铆 Gaelacha (CLRG) launched an investigation into results fixing in October.

Yesterday it emerged they had suspended 44 people from judging.

CLRG said it had recommended the individuals face disciplinary hearings.

The complaints were first made to An Coiste Faire (CLRG Ethics Committee) in July, with supporting documentation dating back several years.

A statement from the CLRG to members seen by 大象传媒 News NI in October said that the evidence identified individuals "allegedly offering various inducements to promote dancers" at some competitions.

A 大象传媒 spokesperson said: "During early production for the 大象传媒 Arts/ NI co-production 'Point Perfect', serious allegations about aspects of competitive Irish dancing were reported in the press.

"Given this wider context the 大象传媒 is unable to proceed with the series as planned."

Belfast-based production company Stellify Media was commissioned by the 大象传媒 to produce the series.

Image source, Getty Images

Image caption, The CLRG has suspended 44 people from judging following an investigation

In a statement on Friday, the CLRG said an independent investigation led by Mr Justice Michael Peart, a retired judge of the Irish Court of Appeal, recommended that that 44 people face disciplinary hearings.

A spokesperson said: "We wish to reiterate that CLRG regards all allegations of wrongdoing with the utmost seriousness."

They added that the hearings will be carried out by an "independent external disciplinary panel" and recruitment has begun for external individuals to sit on it.

CLRG has members from around the world, with nine regional councils set up to oversee events.

Some of its major annual events include the All-Ireland Irish Dancing Championships, Oireachtas Rince na Cruinne (the World Irish Dancing Championships) or more locally, provincial championships in Ulster, Munster, Leinster and Connacht.