Friday 30 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. 16797Contempt of court · Co. Westmeath

Enoch Burke released from Mountjoy Prison on High Court order

Former teacher Enoch Burke was found in contempt of court for refusing to stay away from Wilson's Hospital School in Co Westmeath and was held in Mountjoy Prison in Dublin from September. On 28 June 2024, Justice Mark Sanfey ordered his release, saying the school was on summer holidays and State examinations had concluded, and the court did not require Burke to purge his contempt. The school injunction remains in place, with a warning that Burke would be sent back to prison if he breached it. The judge reserved judgment on whether the court has jurisdiction to set aside an earlier order by Justice Owens, and Burke, who has spent over 400 days in prison in total, denies being in contempt.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In court28 Jun
    2 reports
  5. Verdict
  6. Sentenced
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
Former teacher Enoch Burke was released from Mountjoy Prison on a High Court order by Justice Mark Sanfey on 28 June 2024.
Where
  • Burke was held in Mountjoy Prison in Dublin.
  • The school at the centre of the case is Wilson's Hospital School in Co Westmeath.
When
Burke had been in prison since September.
Cause
Burke was found in contempt of court for refusing to stay away from Wilson's Hospital School.
In court
  • Justice Sanfey said that after a review, with State examinations concluded and the school on holidays, Burke had no reason to return to the premises.
  • The court did not require Burke to purge his contempt.
  • The school injunction remains in place, and the judge warned that Burke would be sent back to prison or that a fresh application would be considered if he breached it.
  • The judge reserved judgment on whether the court has jurisdiction to set aside an earlier order by Justice Owens.
Sentence
Burke has spent over 400 days in prison in total.
Other details
Burke denies that he is in contempt of court.
19 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatA High Court judge ordered the release of former teacher Enoch Burke from Mountjoy Prison. (thejournal.ie)
  • whatBurke was found in contempt of court for refusing to stay away from Wilson's Hospital School. (gript.ie)
  • whereBurke was held in a prison in Dublin. (thejournal.ie)
  • whereBurke was held in Mountjoy Prison. (gript.ie)
  • whereThe school is Wilson's Hospital School in Co. Westmeath. (gript.ie)
  • whenBurke had been imprisoned since September. (gript.ie)
  • causeBurke was incarcerated for contempt due to his refusal to stay away from Wilson's Hospital School in Co Westmeath. (thejournal.ie)
  • courtThe judge said that following a review and with the school on holidays he was directing the teacher's release. (thejournal.ie)
  • courtThe court did not require Burke to purge his contempt. (thejournal.ie)
  • courtThe judge warned that the injunction remains in place and that he would consider a fresh application if there were further breaches. (thejournal.ie)
  • courtThe judge reserved his judgment on whether the court has jurisdiction to set aside an earlier order. (thejournal.ie)
  • courtA High Court order by Justice Mark Sanfey led to his release. (gript.ie)
  • courtJustice Sanfey said State examinations were concluded and school staff were on holiday, so Burke had no reason to return to the premises. (gript.ie)
  • courtBurke was not required to purge his contempt. (gript.ie)
  • courtThe school injunction remains in place, and Justice Sanfey warned Burke he would be sent back to prison if he breached it. (gript.ie)
  • sentenceBurke has spent over 400 days in prison overall. (thejournal.ie)
  • otherBurke has denied that he is in contempt of court. (thejournal.ie)
  • otherBurke has been incarcerated for over 400 days in total. (gript.ie)
  • otherBurke maintains that he is not in contempt of court. (gript.ie)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 28 Jun2024
    In courtgript.ie, first report
    Enoch Burke released from Mountjoy due to High Court order - Gript

    Reports Burke's release from Mountjoy Prison on a High Court order by Justice Mark Sanfey in June 2024, after about nine months in prison for contempt, and that he has been incarcerated for over 400 days in total.

    convicted, Enoch Burke, male, named, irish (judged from name)Enoch Burke
  2. 28 Jun2024
    In courtthejournal.ie, first report
    Judge orders release of Enoch Burke from prison as school where he taught is now on summer holidays

    Reports that Justice Mark Sanfey ordered Burke's release on 28 June 2024, that Burke has spent over 400 days in prison overall, and that the judge reserved his decision on whether the court can set aside Justice Owens's order.

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