UPDATE: Enoch Burke has been returned to prison as of November 21, 2023, following a High Court ruling for contempt of court. This decision comes after a judge determined that Burke had committed “repeated and flagrant” violations of court orders prohibiting him from entering the premises of Wilson’s Hospital School in Co Westmeath, where he previously worked as a teacher.
The ruling was delivered by Justice Brian Cregan, who stated that Burke’s actions were not a matter of personal beliefs on trans issues but rather a clear disregard for legal directives. Burke had been ordered not to attend the school following a dispute over a request from the school’s then-principal in 2022 for a student to be addressed by a new name and pronoun.
Burke has reportedly spent around 500 days in prison previously due to similar contempt rulings. Justice Cregan emphasized that Burke could avoid imprisonment by complying with court orders, stating, “Mr Burke has the keys to his own prison.” However, with no fines paid and continued trespassing at the school, the judge deemed imprisonment the only viable enforcement method.
In a striking moment, Justice Cregan accused Burke and his family of orchestrating “the most deliberate, sustained and concerted attack” on the civil courts and the rule of law in Ireland. He has even urged the Attorney General to initiate criminal contempt proceedings against Burke and his family members, including his mother Martina Burke, brother Isaac Burke, and sister Ammi Burke.
The urgency of this situation escalates as An Garda Síochána confirmed they executed the High Court order in Mullingar, Co Westmeath on the same day. Days before his return to prison, a video surfaced on Burke’s social media platform, where he was seen outside Wilson’s Hospital School, further illustrating his defiance against the court’s directives.
As the legal battle continues, the implications for Burke and the educational institution remain profound, raising questions about the intersection of personal beliefs and institutional policies in Ireland. Observers are left to wonder what will unfold next in this high-profile case that challenges the boundaries of the law and individual rights.
Stay tuned for further updates as this situation develops.
