Ireland Case No. 11755Criminal contempt of court
AG declines criminal contempt proceedings against Burke family at High Court
The dispute stems from a 2022 request by Wilson's Hospital School's then-principal to address a student by a new name and pronoun, leading to an injunction restraining Enoch Burke from attending the school. Burke, a man, was previously ordered back to prison for breaching the injunction and has been fined more than €200,000 in relation to the dispute. During High Court hearings in October and November 2025 at the Four Courts in Dublin, his mother Martina, sister Ammi and brother Isaac were removed after interrupting Mr Justice Brian Cregan. On 17 December, the Attorney General told the court he would not bring criminal contempt proceedings against the four at this time, and Judge Cregan said he would reflect over Christmas on whether to start proceedings himself.
- Reportednot reported
- Arrestednot reported
- Chargednot reported
- In court5 Nov
3 reports - Verdict
- Sentenced
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet
Key facts
consolidated from all reports- What happened
- The dispute stems from a 2022 request by Wilson's Hospital School's then-principal to address a student by a new name and pronoun.
- At a hearing on 29 October, Isaac Burke shouted that the judge was lying, and on 5 November Martina Burke was removed after making remarks to the judge.
- Where
- The matter was heard before the High Court in Court 2 at the Four Courts, Dublin.
- When
- The matter is due back for hearing on 12 November 2025, with a view to judgment on 19 November.
- Cause
- The removals of family members from court followed heated comments aimed at Mr Justice Brian Cregan.
- Charges
- The Attorney General will not bring criminal contempt proceedings against Enoch Burke and three family members at this time.
- In court
- Enoch Burke was previously ordered back to prison for breaching an injunction to stay away from Wilson's Hospital School.
- Judge Cregan directed the Attorney General to prepare criminal contempt proceedings against Enoch Burke, his mother Martina, and siblings Isaac and Ammi.
- The judge said he would reflect over Christmas on whether to start criminal contempt proceedings himself, sending the matter to a different judge.
- The judge directed further submissions on social media videos, vehicle sequestration, further trespass incidents, and a possible garnishee order for Burke's salary.
- Sentence
- Courts have heard Burke has been fined more than €200,000 in relation to the dispute.
- Other details
- The Attorney General said the decision not to bring proceedings could be revisited if circumstances changed.
39 statements extracted from the articles
- whatThe High Court should consider afresh whether Enoch Burke should be committed to prison for contempt of court again. (thejournal.ie)
- whatAt a hearing on 29 October, Isaac Burke shouted that the judge was lying. (thejournal.ie)
- whatOn 5 November, gardaí removed Martina Burke after she made remarks to the judge. (thejournal.ie)
- whereThe matter was heard before the High Court in Dublin. (thejournal.ie)
- whereThe hearing took place in court two at the Four Courts. (gript.ie)
- whenThe matter is due back for hearing on 12 November, with a view to judgment on 19 November. (thejournal.ie)
- whenIsaac Burke had no right of audience when he tried to represent Enoch Burke at the first hearing on 14 October. (thejournal.ie)
- causeThe dispute stems from a 2022 request by the school's then-principal to address a student by a new name and pronoun. (thejournal.ie)
- causeThe removals followed heated comments aimed at the judge, Mr Justice Brian Cregan. (gript.ie)
- chargeThe Attorney General will not bring criminal contempt proceedings against Enoch Burke and three family members at this time. (rte.ie)
- courtThe school has an injunction restraining Burke from attending, but he continues to attend in breach of it. (thejournal.ie)
- courtThe judge directed further submissions and affidavits on social media videos, vehicle sequestration and further trespass incidents. (thejournal.ie)
- courtThe judge also sought submissions on a possible garnishee order for Burke's salary. (thejournal.ie)
- courtThe judge said he had come to no decisions and would consider all submissions. (thejournal.ie)
- courtThe judge rejected Burke's assertion that he was entitled to a judgment during the sitting. (thejournal.ie)
- courtMartina Burke was escorted from court by gardaí after accusing the judge of being a liar. (thejournal.ie)
- courtJudge Cregan asked gardaí to escort Martina, Ammi and Isaac Burke out of court. (thejournal.ie)
- courtAmmi Burke was taken from the court after further interruptions. (thejournal.ie)
- courtIsaac Burke was removed from the proceedings after quoting the Bible and saying he was not afraid of the judge. (thejournal.ie)
- courtThe judge said he would consider whether Burke's behaviour in court amounted to criminal contempt. (thejournal.ie)
- courtBurke was warned several times to stop interrupting and was then asked to be removed by gardaí. (thejournal.ie)
- courtJustice Cregan rose several times until all members of the Burke family were removed except Enoch Burke. (gript.ie)
- courtContempt of court proceedings would be considered against Isaac Burke for his conduct during the hearing. (gript.ie)
- courtThe judge said his decision would be delivered the following week. (gript.ie)
- courtThe court rose with the case adjourned until the following week for judgment. (gript.ie)
- courtJudge Brian Cregan directed the Attorney General to prepare criminal contempt proceedings against Enoch Burke, his mother Martina and siblings Isaac and Ammi. (thejournal.ie)
- courtEnoch Burke was ordered back to prison for breaching an injunction to stay away from Wilson’s Hospital School. (thejournal.ie)
- courtIsaac Burke was ejected from the courtroom when the case resumed on 22 October. (thejournal.ie)
- courtThe judge said Enoch Burke's remarks were, prima facie, contempt in the face of the court. (thejournal.ie)
- courtThe judge said Enoch Burke had committed contempt of court and was contemptuous of all judges and court processes. (thejournal.ie)
- courtThe judge had asked the Attorney General to consider proceedings against Enoch Burke, his mother, his sister and his brother. (rte.ie)
- courtJudge Cregan said his initial reaction was disappointment and surprise. (rte.ie)
- courtJudge Cregan said he would reflect over Christmas on whether to start criminal contempt proceedings himself, sending the matter to a different judge. (rte.ie)
- sentenceCourts have heard Burke has been fined more than €200,000 in relation to the dispute. (thejournal.ie)
- otherThe judge instructed counsel from Wilson's Hospital School to calculate the weekly cost of security at the school. (gript.ie)
- otherThe Attorney General said proceedings against Enoch Burke would have no practical benefit because he was already in prison for civil contempt. (rte.ie)
- otherThe Attorney General had grave concerns about what emerged from the transcripts of the proceedings. (rte.ie)
- otherThe Attorney General said he decided not to begin criminal contempt proceedings at this time, after a difficult decision. (rte.ie)
- otherThe Attorney General said the decision could be revisited if circumstances changed. (rte.ie)
The reporting
newest first- 17 Dec2025AG not taking contempt proceedings against Burkes
Reports the Attorney General's decision not to bring criminal contempt proceedings against Enoch Burke, Martina, Ammi and Isaac Burke over their court behaviour, and the judge's reaction and plan to reflect on whether to act himself.
suspect, Enoch Burke, named, irish (judged from name)Enoch Burkesuspect, Martina, named, irish (judged from name)Martinasuspect, Ammi Burke, named, irish (judged from name)Ammi Burkesuspect, Isaac Burke, named, irish (judged from name)Isaac Burke - 22 Nov2025'This is not normal behaviour': Why three more Burkes could be facing jail for contempt of court
Describes the October and November 2025 hearings in Court 2 that led to the direction, including Isaac Burke's ejection on 22 October, the 29 October dispute, and the 5 November removals and the judge's ruling.
suspect, Enoch Burke, male, named, irish (judged from name)Enoch Burkesuspect, Martina Burke, female, named, irish (judged from name)Martina Burkesuspect, Isaac Burke, male, named, irish (judged from name)Isaac Burkesuspect, Ammi Burke, female, named, irish (judged from name)Ammi Burke - 5 Nov2025Burkes removed from High Court - Gript
Reports the removal of Burke family members from a High Court hearing, the court's statement that contempt proceedings would be considered against Isaac Burke, and the adjournment of judgment to the following week. No existing case matches this hearing.
suspect, Enoch Burke, male, named, irish (judged from name)Enoch Burkesuspect, Isaac Burke, named, irish (judged from name)Isaac Burkesuspect, Martina Burke, named, irish (judged from name)Martina Burkesuspect, Ami Burke, named, irish (judged from name)Ami Burke - 5 Nov2025Judge considering whether Enoch Burke should go to prison for contempt of court again
Adds that the judge will consider afresh whether to commit Burke to prison, has directed submissions on social media videos, vehicle sequestration, further trespass and a possible salary garnishee, and will consider whether Burke's court behaviour amounted to criminal contempt. Adds that the matter returns on 12 November with judgment possibly on 19 November.
suspect, Enoch Burke, named, irish (judged from name)Enoch Burkesuspect, Martina Burke, named, irish (judged from name)Martina Burkesuspect, Ammi Burke, named, irish (judged from name)Ammi Burkesuspect, Isaac Burke, named, irish (judged from name)Isaac Burke