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. 9337Contempt of court · Co. Westmeath

Enoch Burke kept in prison for refusing to purge contempt

The case concerns contempt of court by Enoch Burke, a former teacher, who refused to stay away from the grounds of Wilson's Hospital School in County Westmeath; the incident date is not given. Judge Alexander Owens first made the contempt order in July 2023, and the Court of Appeal later refused Burke's application to overturn it as too late. On 3 June 2026 the High Court kept Burke in prison, with him appearing remotely from Castlerea Prison, after he again clashed with the judge and refused to purge his contempt. The judge asked for affidavits setting out Burke's trespasses and the fines he owes, and the case was adjourned until 24 June, with Burke set to remain in prison for another period of time.

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

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
  • Enoch Burke, a former teacher, is the suspect in the contempt of court case.
  • Burke refused to stay away from the grounds of Wilson's Hospital School.
  • Burke repeatedly argued with the judge during the hearing.
Where
The case is recorded in County Westmeath, and no incident date is given.
When
The contempt order was first made by Judge Alexander Owens in July 2023.
In court
  • The Court of Appeal refused Burke's application to overturn the order as too late.
  • Burke appeared remotely from Castlerea Prison before the High Court on 3 June 2026.
  • The judge asked for affidavits setting out Burke's trespasses and the fines he owes.
  • The case was adjourned until 24 June.
Sentence
  • Burke had been imprisoned for more than 700 days for contempt of court.
  • The judge said Burke would stay in prison for a number of weeks.
  • Burke was kept in prison for refusing to purge his contempt and is set to remain in prison for another period of time.
Other details
Burke's salary is no longer being paid after the school confirmed his dismissal.
11 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatBurke repeatedly argued with the judge during the hearing. (thejournal.ie)
  • whatBurke refused to stay away from the grounds of Wilson's Hospital School. (thejournal.ie)
  • courtBurke appeared remotely from Castlerea Prison before the High Court. (thejournal.ie)
  • courtThe contempt order was first made by Judge Alexander Owens in July 2023. (thejournal.ie)
  • courtThe Court of Appeal refused Burke's application to overturn the order as too late. (thejournal.ie)
  • courtThe judge asked for affidavits setting out Burke's trespasses and the fines he owes. (thejournal.ie)
  • courtThe case was adjourned until 24 June. (thejournal.ie)
  • sentenceBurke had been imprisoned for more than 700 days for contempt of court. (thejournal.ie)
  • sentenceThe judge said Burke would stay in prison for a number of weeks. (thejournal.ie)
  • otherBurke is set to remain in prison for another period of time. (thejournal.ie)
  • otherBurke's salary is no longer being paid after his dismissal was confirmed by the school. (thejournal.ie)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 1 Jun2026
    In courtthejournal.ie, first report
    Enoch Burke clashes with judge again as he is kept in prison for refusing to purge contempt

    Covers the High Court hearing on 3 June 2026 at which Burke was kept in prison for refusing to purge contempt, and the judge's request for affidavits on fines owed. The article gives no specific incident date or county for the trespass.

    accused, Enoch Burke, male, named, irish (judged from name)Enoch Burke