Thursday 29 October 2026Compiled from published reports. Every claim links to its source.

Ireland Crime

Every case followed from the first report to the sentence, or to where the reporting stopped.

Case No. 10561Contempt of court · Co. Westmeath · 1 Mar 2026

Enoch Burke challenges move from Mountjoy to Castlerea Prison in High Court

Enoch Burke, a teacher, was suspended from his school role at Wilson's Hospital School in Co Westmeath in 2022 after he interrupted a religious service, and the High Court found him in contempt on 19 January for repeatedly trespassing there. The court ordered him returned to Mountjoy Prison, and he was fined 225,000 euro and imprisoned for more than 550 days. He was moved from Mountjoy Prison in Dublin to Castlerea Prison in Co Roscommon on 1 March, and his brother Isaac raised the transfer with Judge Brian Cregan on 2 March. On 10 March Burke told the High Court by video link that the move had no basis in law, and the case returns to court on Thursday at 10.30am.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In court1 Mar
    2 reports
  5. Verdict
  6. Sentenced
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
Enoch Burke was moved from Mountjoy Prison in Dublin to Castlerea Prison in Co Roscommon.
When
The transfer took place on 1 March.
Where
Castlerea Prison is in Co Roscommon, and Wilson's Hospital School is in Co Westmeath.
Cause
  • Burke was first suspended from his school role in 2022 after he interrupted a religious service in the school chapel.
  • The dispute stems from a 2022 request by the school's then-principal to address a student by a new name and pronoun.
  • Burke says the transfer breached a High Court committal order that referred to Mountjoy Prison and had no basis in law.
In court
  • On 19 January the High Court found Burke in contempt for repeatedly breaching a court order not to trespass at Wilson's Hospital School and ordered him returned to Mountjoy Prison for a fifth time.
  • Isaac Burke raised the transfer with Judge Brian Cregan in the High Court on 2 March.
  • On 10 March Burke appeared by video link and argued that his transfer should not be allowed because his detention was based on a civil rather than criminal matter.
  • The judge asked for an affidavit and legal submissions setting out the facts and for an update on the appointment of a new Disciplinary Appeals Panel, which was not heard in court.
  • The case returns to court on Thursday at 10.30am.
Sentence
Burke has been fined 225,000 euro and imprisoned for more than 550 days for attending the school in breach of a court order.
Other details
  • Isaac Burke said his brother was given no warning or notice of the move and that there had been no further High Court order.
  • The family described the move as scandalous.
Investigation
The Irish Prison Service said it does not comment on operational matters.
31 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatEnoch Burke was transferred from Mountjoy Prison in Dublin to Castlerea Prison in Co Roscommon. (thejournal.ie)
  • whereBurke was moved from Mountjoy Prison in Dublin to Castlerea Prison in Roscommon. (thejournal.ie)
  • whereCastlerea Prison is in Co Roscommon. (thejournal.ie)
  • whenHe was moved on 1 March. (thejournal.ie)
  • whenBurke was moved to a different prison the day before the article was published. (thejournal.ie)
  • whenBurke was moved to Castlerea Prison on 1 March. (rte.ie)
  • causeBurke said the transfer was in breach of a High Court committal order that referred to Mountjoy Prison. (thejournal.ie)
  • causeBurke was first suspended from his school role in 2022 after he interrupted a religious service in the school chapel. (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. (rte.ie)
  • investigationThe Irish Prison Service said it does not comment on operational matters. (thejournal.ie)
  • courtHe appeared before the High Court by video-link to argue that his transfer should not be allowed. (thejournal.ie)
  • courtThe judge found Burke in contempt of court on 19 January. (thejournal.ie)
  • courtThe judge asked for an affidavit and legal submission setting out the facts. (thejournal.ie, rte.ie)
  • courtThe case will return to court on Thursday at 10.30am. (thejournal.ie)
  • courtOn 19 January the High Court ordered Burke returned to Mountjoy Prison for a fifth time for repeatedly breaching a court order not to trespass at Wilson’s Hospital School in Co Westmeath. (thejournal.ie)
  • courtIsaac said the 19 January order required Burke to be detained in Mountjoy Prison until further order of the High Court. (thejournal.ie)
  • courtIsaac raised the issue in the High Court with Judge Brian Cregan. (thejournal.ie)
  • courtBurke appeared before the High Court by video link to argue that his transfer should not be allowed. (rte.ie)
  • courtThe judge had found Burke in contempt of court on 19 January. (rte.ie)
  • courtThe case will return to the judge at 10.30am on Thursday. (rte.ie)
  • sentenceBurke has been fined 225,000 euro and imprisoned for more than 550 days. (thejournal.ie)
  • sentenceBurke has been fined €225,000 and imprisoned for more than 550 days for attending the school in breach of a court order. (rte.ie)
  • otherBurke said the transfer had no basis in law. (thejournal.ie)
  • otherBurke has been imprisoned since January for contempt of court. (thejournal.ie, rte.ie)
  • otherNo update on the appointment of a new Disciplinary Appeals Panel was heard in court. (thejournal.ie)
  • otherThe family described the move as scandalous. (thejournal.ie)
  • otherIsaac claimed Enoch was not given any warning or notice of the move. (thejournal.ie)
  • otherIsaac said there had been no further High Court order. (thejournal.ie)
  • otherBurke said moving him to Castlerea Prison had no basis in law. (rte.ie)
  • otherBurke said his removal breached a High Court committal order that referred to Mountjoy Prison. (rte.ie)
  • otherThe judge asked for an update on the appointment of a new Disciplinary Appeals Panel. (rte.ie)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 10 Mar2026
    In courtrte.ie, first report
    Enoch Burke says move from Mountjoy has no basis in law

    Reports Burke's High Court application on 10 March 2026 challenging his transfer to Castlerea Prison, the judge's directions, and the next hearing date. It also gives background on the 2022 dispute with Wilson's Hospital School and the contempt penalties.

    convicted, Enoch Burke, named, irish (judged from name)Enoch Burke
  2. 1 Mar2026
    In courtthejournal.ie, follow-up
    Enoch Burke transferred from Mountjoy to Castlerea Prison in Co Roscommon

    Reports that Burke was moved to Castlerea Prison, the family's objection, and his brother's High Court application before Judge Brian Cregan. Adds the 19 January High Court committal order and the Irish Prison Service's response.

    suspect, Enoch Burke, named, irish (judged from name)Enoch Burke
  3. 1 Mar2026
    Otherthejournal.ie, follow-up
    Enoch Burke claims his transfer to Castlerea Prison is 'in breach' of High Court order

    Reports a High Court hearing by video-link where Burke challenged his transfer to Castlerea Prison as being in breach of a committal order, and that the case returns to court on Thursday.

    convicted, Enoch Burke, named, irish (judged from name)Enoch Burke