Enoch Burke launches fresh judicial review over school dismissal
Enoch Burke, a schoolteacher at Wilson's Hospital School in Co Westmeath, was dismissed for gross misconduct after a June 2022 dispute with then-principal Niamh McShane over the use of gender-neutral pronouns for a pupil. He repeatedly breached court orders banning him from the school, spending more than 700 days across five prison spells for contempt. After his appeal against dismissal was thrown out by a disciplinary appeals panel in May 2025 and the Department of Education ceased paying his salary, Judge Brian Cregan ordered his release from prison on 1 July 2026, describing him as an 'unwelcome intruder.' The judge noted the school could bring a fresh committal application if Burke returns in the new academic year. Burke filed a new judicial review challenge against the disciplinary appeals panel, the Minister for Education, and the school board of management on 8 July 2026.
- Reportednot reported
- Arrestednot reported
- Chargednot reported
- In court24 Jun
4 reports - Verdict
- Sentenced
Key facts
consolidated from all reports- What happened
- Enoch Burke was dismissed from Wilson's Hospital School for gross misconduct following a June 2022 dispute with then-principal Niamh McShane over the use of gender-neutral pronouns for a pupil.
- Where
- Wilson's Hospital School, Co Westmeath.
- When
- The dispute began in June 2022, Burke was suspended in August 2022, his appeal was thrown out in May 2025, he was released from prison on 1 July 2026, and he filed a fresh judicial review on 8 July 2026.
- Cause
- Burke's conduct towards the principal at a school religious event, after the principal requested teachers to address a pupil by their chosen new name using they/them pronouns.
- Investigation
- Burke spent five separate periods in prison for contempt for breaching court orders to stay away from the school, totalling more than 700 days.
- Charges
- Burke was held in contempt of court for breaching orders banning him from the school.
- In court
- Judge Brian Cregan ordered Burke's release from prison on 1 July 2026, describing him as an 'unwelcome intruder,' and noted the school could bring a fresh committal application if Burke returns in the new academic year.
- Burke filed a judicial review challenge against the disciplinary appeals panel, the Minister for Education, and the school board of management on 8 July 2026, claiming the panel chair failed to disclose her and her husband's relationship to the Church of Ireland and the school.
- Sentence
- Burke was fined an estimated €260,000 over his contempt, though the school submitted the figure was approximately €452,100; the judge reserved ruling on the calculation of fines.
- Other details
- Burke, an evangelical Christian, maintained the request to use gender-neutral pronouns went against his religious beliefs.
- The Department of Education ceased paying Burke's salary after his dismissal was confirmed by the disciplinary appeals panel.
- Burke's employment at the school began in August 2018.
28 statements extracted from the articles
- investigationBurke spent five separate periods in prison for contempt for breaching court orders to stay away from the school (irishtimes.com)
- courtThe case returns next week. (irishtimes.com)
- courtJudge Brian Cregan made the release order on Wednesday. (irishtimes.com)
- courtBurke remains in contempt of the court order and will remain so until he purges that contempt. (irishtimes.com)
- courtIf Burke returns to the school in the new academic year, the school can bring a new application to have him committed to prison. (irishtimes.com)
- courtThe judge would rule later in the month on the calculation of fines accrued by Burke. (irishtimes.com)
- courtJudge Brian Cregan ordered Burke's release on Wednesday (irishmirror.ie)
- courtThe school can bring a new application to have Burke committed to prison if he returns in the new academic year (irishmirror.ie)
- courtThe judge said he would rule later in the month on the calculation of fines accrued by Burke (irishmirror.ie)
- courtBurke filed a judicial review challenge against the Dap, the Minister for Education, and the school board of management (irishtimes.com)
- courtBurke was freed from prison without purging his contempt (irishtimes.com)
- courtJudge Brian Cregan said the school could make a fresh application to jail Burke if he turns up in September (irishtimes.com)
- sentenceBurke has been fined an estimated €260,000 over his contempt (irishtimes.com)
- otherThe school submitted that Burke owed approximately €452,100 in fines. (irishtimes.com)
- otherThe school suspended and later dismissed Burke over his conduct towards then-principal Niamh McShane at a school religious event in June 2022. (irishtimes.com, irishmirror.ie)
- otherBurke, an evangelical Christian, maintained the request went against his religious beliefs. (irishtimes.com)
- otherBurke was formally let go from his position after a disciplinary appeals panel threw out his appeal against his dismissal. (irishtimes.com)
- otherBurke has spent more than 700 days in jail across different spells. (irishtimes.com)
- otherBurke is an evangelical Christian who maintained the request went against his religious beliefs. (irishtimes.com, irishmirror.ie)
- otherBurke was formally let go in May after a disciplinary appeals panel threw out his appeal. (irishtimes.com)
- otherThe Department of Education has ceased paying his salary. (irishtimes.com)
- otherBurke continuously breached the order banning him from the school, resulting in committal to prison on several occasions (irishmirror.ie)
- otherBurke was formally let go from his position in May after a disciplinary appeals panel threw out his appeal (irishmirror.ie)
- otherThe Department of Education has ceased paying Burke's salary (irishmirror.ie)
- otherBurke's employment at the school began in August 2018 (irishtimes.com)
- otherBurke was suspended in August 2022 after his conduct in public towards the school principal following a religious ceremony (irishtimes.com)
- otherThe principal had requested teachers to address a pupil by their chosen new name using the pronouns they/them (irishtimes.com)
- otherBurke claims the Dap chair Claire Callanan failed to disclose her and her husband's relationship to the Church of Ireland and the school (irishtimes.com)
The reporting
newest first- 8 Jul2026Enoch Burke launches fresh court challenge over school dismissal
Reports on Burke's new judicial review filed after his release from prison for contempt, challenging the Dap's May 2025 decision on procedural grounds including the chair's failure to recuse herself and the school board's legal representation at the hearing.
suspect, Enoch Burke, male, named, irish (judged from name)Enoch Burke - 1 Jul2026Major Enoch Burke update as judge describes him as 'unwelcome intruder'
The High Court ordered Burke's release from prison for contempt of court, noting his dismissal was confirmed and the internal appeals process was exhausted. Judge Cregan said the school could bring a new committal application if Burke returns in the new academic year, and would rule later in the month on fines and on a potential order banning three family members from attending court hearings.
accused, Enoch Burke, male, named, irish (judged from name)Enoch Burke - 1 Jul2026High Court orders Enoch Burke’s release from prison
The High Court ordered Burke's release from prison after his dismissal was confirmed by the disciplinary appeals panel and the Department of Education ceased paying his salary. The judge noted the school is closed for summer break and that a new committal application could be brought if Burke returns in the new academic year. The judge also reserved ruling on fines and gave Burke's family members time to submit on a potential order banning them from attending hearings in person.
accused, Enoch Burke, male, named, irish (judged from name)Enoch Burke - 24 Jun2026High Court to consider releasing Enoch Burke despite refusal to purge contempt
Details the High Court hearing where Judge Cregan considered releasing Burke, the €452,100 in fines, Burke's formal dismissal after the disciplinary appeals panel threw out his appeal, the June 2022 confrontation over gender-neutral pronouns, and the judge's consideration of an order against three family members.
suspect, Enoch Burke, male, named, irish (judged from name)Enoch Burke