Hi
Here are the facts from nearly a year ago - what little progress has taken place regarding the original incident can be followed in full on the other thread, one of the main ones being that there has been a clamp-down within the organisation on any discussion of the matter and there is to be a departmental inquiry into how the grant money was spent. The old branch continues to operate and do good work outside the organisation, but the building remains firmly in the hands of the leadership (O Murchu). As Diarmaid has pointed out, this is a repeat performance of what happened in London when the West London Branch was expelled (then for politics, this time for cash).
It perhaps should be made clear that the leadership of CCE, Ireland's (once) leading traditional music organisation is a political appointment and there is no democratic structure enabling members to vote on such issues as these.
I am a little surprised that The Cap'n raised the question as it has been debated in full on the thread Joe indicated, but for me, it remains an example of one of the most outrageous and blatant abuse of a political appointment I have come across. It would have done traditional music enormous damage had CCE commanded the respect they once did, but it is behaviour such as this which has lost them that respect, and will continue to do so while the matter drags on
Jim Carroll

The Clontarf members raised a phenomenal sum to build a music centre, mainly from Arts Council grants.
When the work was completed they were told that, as they were registered as a charity, they were entitled to tax rebates of an unspecified, but very large sum, which they applied for and received.
There was some doubt raised regarding the validity of the rebate so, to be on the safe side (in the present climate of fraud investigation tribunals etc here in Ireland), they returned the cheque until the matter could be clarified.
President Labhrás ó Murchú, (known affectionately here as 'Larry-The Lab Rat') ballisticated, claiming that ALL money raised by branches which was not needed for local organisation, automatically belonged to Head Office.
He (his decision alone - that's the way Comhaltas democracy works apparently) has expelled the branch and turned them out of the premises they built. The building, technically, now belongs to CCE and those who built it have no access to it; nor do they have anywhere to hold planned events for tomorrows St Pats Day.
The first we heard of it was a very long radio phone-in programme on Wednesday (on which CCE head office refused to produce a spokesman).
That, as far as I know, is how things stand at present.