***A press release from the Central Hearings Committee: ***

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Dromard GAA, An Longfort**

****An Choiste Bainistíochta (Management Committee) instituted Disciplinary Action against Dromard GAA, An Longfort, alleging a breach of Riail 5. 1 (a) T.O. 2015, which deals with the use of property owned by or under the control of units of the Association.

Dromard GAA requested a Hearing. At the subsequent Hearing, An Lár Choiste Éisteachta (Central Hearings Committee) noted that the Club admitted the infraction and imposed a fine of €2000.

Dromard GAA  have the option of appealing against the decision of An Lár Choiste Éisteachta to the Central Appeals Committee.

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Disciplinary process explained:

*1. Penalty Proposed.
2. The Competitions Control Committee / Management Committee proposes a penalty. It is either accepted or rejected.
3. If it is rejected, a Hearing is granted.
4. The Hearings Committee (decision makers) either impose a penalty or exonerate based on evidence presented during the Hearing.
5. If penalty is imposed by the Hearings Committee, and the Defending Party is not willing to accept the imposed penalty, then an Appeal can be lodged to the Appeals Committee.
6. The Appeal is heard by the Appeals Committee.  If Appeal is unsuccessful then the penalty remains imposed and all avenues of Appeal are now exhausted within the GAA (The Appeal can only be successful where there has been a clear infringement or misapplication of Rule by the Hearings Committee or the Appellants right to a fair hearing has otherwise been compromised to such extent that a clear injustice has occurred).
7. However, if the Defending Party is still not willing to accept the imposed penalty, a request for Arbitration may be lodged to the DRA (Disputes Resolution Authority) who are an external Independent Body and all their decisions are binding.
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