Wednesday 28 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. 3165Contempt of court · Co. Westmeath · 5 May 2026

Enoch Burke refuses to purge contempt of court order banning him from Wilson's Hospital School

Jailed schoolteacher Enoch Burke refused to purge his contempt of a High Court order banning him from Wilson's Hospital School in Co Westmeath, telling Judge Brian Cregan he was not trespassing. The judge adjourned the matter for four weeks, noting it was open to Burke to purge his contempt at any time.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In court5 May
  5. Verdict
  6. Sentenced
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
9 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatThe school suspended and later dismissed Burke over his conduct towards then-principal Niamh McShane at a school religious event in June 2022. (irishtimes.com)
  • whatBurke is an evangelical Christian who maintained the pronoun request went against his religious beliefs. (irishtimes.com)
  • whatBurke has spent more than 600 days in separate spells in jail. (irishtimes.com)
  • whereWilson's Hospital School is in Co Westmeath. (irishtimes.com)
  • whereBurke is incarcerated at Castlerea Prison. (irishtimes.com)
  • courtJudge Alexander Owens ruled in May 2023 that the school validly suspended Burke and ordered him restrained from attending the school premises. (irishtimes.com)
  • courtBurke appeared via video-link at the hearing. (irishtimes.com)
  • courtThe judge said it was clear Burke did not wish to purge his contempt and adjourned the matter for four weeks. (irishtimes.com)
  • courtThe judge said it was open to Burke to purge his contempt at any time. (irishtimes.com)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 5 May2026
    In courtirishtimes.com, first report
    Enoch Burke to remain in prison after telling High Court he was not trespassing

    Reports on Burke's refusal to purge his contempt at a High Court hearing before Judge Brian Cregan, his arguments that the pronoun instruction had no legal standing, and the judge's adjournment of the matter for four weeks.

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