Ireland Case No. 11755Criminal contempt of court
Attorney General declines criminal contempt proceedings against Burke family for now
The Attorney General told the High Court he will not bring criminal contempt proceedings against Enoch Burke and three family members over their conduct in court at this time. Judge Brian Cregan said he would consider starting the proceedings himself after Christmas.
- Reportednot reported
- Arrestednot reported
- Chargednot reported
- In court22 Nov
- Verdict
- Sentenced
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet
Key facts
consolidated from all reports16 statements extracted from the articles
- 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)
- whenIsaac Burke had no right of audience when he tried to represent Enoch Burke at the first hearing on 14 October. (thejournal.ie)
- chargeThe Attorney General will not bring criminal contempt proceedings against Enoch Burke and three family members at this time. (rte.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)
- 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