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. 5665Contempt of court · Co. Westmeath · 14 Jun 2024

Enoch Burke returned to Mountjoy Prison in contempt of court case over Wilson's Hospital School

Enoch Burke, a teacher, has been in Mountjoy Prison in contempt of court for refusing to obey a court order to stay away from Wilson's Hospital School in Co Westmeath. On Friday 14 June 2024 Burke appeared before Mr Justice Mark Sanfey in the High Court, who returned him to prison after he again said he would not stay away from the school. Burke had asked the court to set aside the original injunction by Mr Justice Owens, and the judge adjourned that application to a later date in June 2024. The latest development is that the application is due back before the court later that month.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In court14 Jun
  5. Verdict
  6. Sentenced
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
Enoch Burke is a teacher at Wilson's Hospital School.
Where
The school is Wilson's Hospital School in Co Westmeath, and Burke is held at Mountjoy Prison.
When
Burke appeared before the High Court on Friday 14 June 2024.
In court
  • Mr Justice Mark Sanfey presided over a review hearing in the High Court.
  • The judge returned Burke to prison after he again said he was not prepared to stay away from the school.
  • The judge adjourned Burke's application to set aside the original injunction by Mr Justice Owens to a later date in June 2024.
  • The judge said it is generally not permissible for one judge to set aside a decision of another judge in the same division.
Cause
Burke is in prison for refusing to comply with a court order to stay away from the school.
Charges
Burke is in contempt of court, which he denies.
Other details
  • Burke says his imprisonment is wrongful because of his objections to what he calls transgenderism, following a school direction about how to address a then-student.
  • The school would not object to releasing Burke during school holidays.
7 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatBurke is a teacher. (irishtimes.com)
  • courtBurke appeared before the High Court on Friday 14 June 2024. (irishtimes.com)
  • courtMr Justice Mark Sanfey presided over the hearing. (irishtimes.com)
  • courtThe judge returned Mr Burke to prison. (irishtimes.com)
  • courtThe judge adjourned the application to a date later in the month. (irishtimes.com)
  • courtThe judge said it is generally not permissible for a judge to set aside a decision of another judge in the same division. (irishtimes.com)
  • otherThe school would not object to releasing Burke during school holidays. (irishtimes.com)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 14 Jun2024
    In courtirishtimes.com, first report
    Enoch Burke returned to Mountjoy Prison, with case to return to court later this month

    High Court hearing where Mr Justice Sanfey returned Burke to prison and adjourned his application to set aside the original injunction by Mr Justice Owens to a later date in June 2024.

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