Girl, 12, goes to High Court to sue for right to compete in Irish dancing world championship qualifier

The proceedings have been brought by UK-based Ella McCarthy, who is ranked in the top 10 Irish dancers in the world, against An Coimisiun Le Rinci Gaelacha (CLRG) - an organisation that regulates and runs competitive Irish step dancing.

The High Court heard today that through no fault of her own Ella, of Kranlee House, St Andrews Park, Burnetts Lane, Horton Heath in Southampton has been suspended from competition for six months because she had to switch dancing teachers.

Ella now faces the prospect of not being able to take part in a world championship qualifier next month.

Suing through her mother, Ms Kristy Blair McCarthy, Ella seeks High Court orders including an injunction restraining the CLRG from preventing her from competing in the Irish Dancing World Championships qualifying round.

Ella's counsel Gerard Meehan Bl told the High Court the proceedings have been brought as "a last resort". Her mother had tried to engage constructively with the CLRG in relation to the matter, but says the governing body has effectively ignored her correspondence.

Counsel said Ella and her sister had been attending a dancing school in London.

Due to differences between Ella's mother and the head of the school Ella and her sister were "expelled" in July, counsel said.

Counsel said at no stage did the school express it had any difficulty with Ella or her sister.

Counsel said the rules of the governing body require that Ella must be registered with a teacher who is registered with the CLRG in order to compete in Irish dancing championships.

As a result of her former school's decision counsel said that Ella and her sister were registered as being students of their mother.

However, under CLRG rules a pupil who moves from one registered teacher to another cannot enter in any official competition until a period of six months has elapsed, counsel said.

Counsel said that under the rules the new teacher can apply to the CLRG for an exemption where extreme circumstances indicate that such an exemption should be granted.

Ella's mother made contact with the governing body in order to seek an exemption. She believes it is unfair that a child, who has done nothing wrong, be punished and be subjected to a six-month suspension over a dispute involving adults.

Correspondence had been received from the CLRG's lawyers stating that having carefully considered the matter it was of the view that Ella would have to undergo "a six-month restyling period" in accordance with its rules.

Counsel said the suspension means Ella, a committed Irish dancer, won't be able to take part in the Southern England regional qualifier.

Ella will not be able to defend the medal she won at the last World Championships which will also affect her qualification status for the 2019 World Championships, counsel said.

The suspension will have an effect on her dancing career and her personal and emotional well being, counsel added.

The application came before Mr Justice Paul Gilligan, who on an ex-parte basis, granted Ella's lawyers permission to serve short notice of the proceedings on the CLRG.

The case will come back before the court tomorrow.