Ella McCarthy returns to High Court over dancing ban

This report is a localnews.ie summary based on public court reporting and records; sources are listed below.

Ella McCarthy returned to the High Court on 26 October 2017 seeking an injunction over a six-month Irish dancing competition ban. The ban followed her move between registered teachers and could prevent her entering a Southern England regional qualifier in November.

McCarthy, aged 12 and ranked among the world's top 10 Irish dancers, brought proceedings through her mother against An Coimisiun Le Rinci Gaelacha. The organisation regulates competitive Irish dancing and opposed her application, arguing that its rules required a six-month restyling period after changing teachers.

Her counsel said the proceedings were a last resort after McCarthy and her sister left a London dancing school following a disagreement involving their mother and the school's head. The court was told that the organisation allowed applications for exemptions in extreme circumstances, but had decided McCarthy did not qualify.

The report records that the case was back before the High Court.

This report covers an earlier stage of the case. Later developments are not reported here.