Ireland Enoch Burke committed to prison over refusal to stay away from school
Enoch Burke, a teacher from Co Mayo, was suspended from Wilson's Hospital School in Co Westmeath after objecting to a May 2022 direction from former principal Niamh McShane that a transitioning student be addressed by their chosen name. The school's board of management obtained a permanent injunction from Mr Justice Alexander Owens earlier in 2023 ordering him to stay away, and he was jailed for several months in Mountjoy Prison after an earlier breach, being released shortly before Christmas without purging his contempt. On 8 September 2023 the High Court ordered that he be committed to prison indefinitely until he agrees to stay away from the school, after he again attended the school and remained silent when asked to give an undertaking. The matter is to be reviewed before the court in early October.
- Reportednot reported
- Arrestednot reported
- Chargednot reported
- In courtnot reported
- Verdictnot reported
- Sentenced8 Sep
Key facts
consolidated from all reports- What happened
- Enoch Burke, a man described as a teacher, was ordered to stay away from Wilson's Hospital School in Co Westmeath.
- Where
- Burke is from Co Mayo and the school is located in Co Westmeath.
- When
- Burke attended the Wilson's Hospital campus every day since the new school year began in late August.
- Cause
- Burke's suspension followed his objection to former principal Niamh McShane's May 2022 direction to address a transitioning student by their chosen name, which he publicly opposed in June 2022.
- Other details
- Sources describe Burke as suspended from the school and also as previously dismissed for alleged gross misconduct.
- Burke was previously jailed for several months in Mountjoy Prison after an earlier breach and was released shortly before Christmas without purging his contempt.
- Judgement is awaited in Burke's separate proceedings challenging the three-person appeal panel.
- The matter is to be reviewed before the court in early October.
- In court
- The school's board of management applied for Burke's attachment and committal over his refusal to comply with a permanent injunction granted by Mr Justice Alexander Owens earlier in 2023.
- Burke represented himself and opposed the application, arguing it breached his constitutional rights to religious freedom and expression.
- The judge found there was no dispute that Burke had flagrantly breached the orders to stay away from the school.
- Burke remained silent three times when the judge asked if he would give an undertaking to obey the order.
- Sentence
- The judge ordered that Burke be committed to prison indefinitely until he agrees to stay away from the school, and said he could secure his release at any time by doing so.
12 statements extracted from the articles
- whereEnoch Burke was ordered to stay away from Wilson's Hospital School in Co Westmeath. (irishtimes.com)
- whenBurke had attended the Wilson's Hospital campus every day since the new school year began in late August. (irishtimes.com)
- causeBurke's suspension followed his objection to a former principal's direction on addressing a transitioning student by their chosen name. (irishtimes.com)
- courtThe judge found there was no dispute that Burke had flagrantly breached the orders to stay away from the school. (irishtimes.com)
- courtBurke remained silent three times when the judge asked if he would give an undertaking to obey the order. (irishtimes.com)
- courtThe school's board of management had applied for Burke's attachment and committal over his refusal to comply with a permanent injunction. (irishtimes.com)
- courtBurke represented himself and opposed the application, arguing it breached his constitutional rights to religious freedom and expression. (irishtimes.com)
- courtThe judge said Burke could secure his release at any time by agreeing to stay away from the school. (irishtimes.com)
- courtThe matter is to be reviewed before the court in early October. (irishtimes.com)
- sentenceThe judge ordered that Burke be committed to prison indefinitely until he agrees to stay away from the school. (irishtimes.com)
- otherBurke was jailed for several months in Mountjoy Prison after a previous breach, and was released shortly before Christmas without purging his contempt. (irishtimes.com)
- otherJudgement is awaited in Burke's separate proceedings challenging the three-person appeal panel. (irishtimes.com)
The reporting
newest first- 8 Sep2023Enoch Burke jailed for second time for continuing to turn up at school
Reports the High Court committal of Enoch Burke for breaching a permanent injunction by continuing to attend Wilson's Hospital School, including the judge's ruling, Burke's position in court, and background on his suspension and earlier jailing.
accused, Enoch Burke, male, named, irish (judged from name)Enoch Burke