Saturday 31 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. 17802

Enoch Burke sent back to prison after court hearing

Former teacher Enoch Burke was sent back to Mountjoy Prison by a High Court judge on 22 March 2024 after a heated hearing. The High Court had found in September that he flagrantly breached July orders to stay away from Wilson's Hospital School in Co Westmeath, and it committed him to prison indefinitely until he purges his contempt, with a daily fine of €700. Mr Justice Mark Sanfey had offered to temporarily release him, but Burke refused to address the proposal and was removed from the courtroom during a scuffle with prison officers, while his brother was removed by gardaí. Burke has spent over 300 days in prison, and his most recent imprisonment followed the March 2024 hearing.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In court22 Mar
    2 reports
  5. Verdict
  6. Sentenced
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
Where
Burke failed to comply with an order to stay away from Wilson's Hospital School in Co Westmeath.
When
The High Court sent Burke back to prison at a hearing on 22 March 2024.
Charges
The High Court found in September that Burke had flagrantly breached the July orders.
In court
  • Mr Justice Mark Sanfey had offered to temporarily release Burke from prison.
  • Burke refused to address the court's proposal.
  • The judge ruled that Burke had made insults against the court and other parties.
  • The judge directed that Burke be removed from the court and said he had no option other than to send him back to prison.
Sentence
  • Burke was committed to prison indefinitely, until he purges his contempt.
  • The High Court imposed a daily fine of €700 on Burke.
Other details
  • Burke has spent over 300 days in prison and has not paid any of the fines imposed by the court last year.
  • A scuffle broke out when prison officers were removing Burke from the courtroom, and gardaí physically removed his brother from the courtroom.
  • Burke continued to be paid his salary while in prison, pending his appeal against dismissal.
  • Burke claims he is imprisoned because he was punished for his religious belief.
17 statements extracted from the articles
  • whereBurke failed to comply with an order to stay away from Wilson’s Hospital School in Co Westmeath. (thejournal.ie)
  • courtA High Court judge sent Burke back to Mountjoy Prison. (thejournal.ie)
  • courtMr Justice Mark Sanfey had offered to temporarily release Burke from prison. (thejournal.ie)
  • courtBurke refused to address the court’s proposal. (thejournal.ie)
  • courtThe judge ruled that Burke had made insults against the court and other parties. (thejournal.ie)
  • courtThe judge directed that Burke be removed from the court. (thejournal.ie)
  • courtThe judge said he had no option other than to send Burke back to prison. (thejournal.ie)
  • courtThe Court found in September that Burke had flagrantly breached the July orders. (thejournal.ie)
  • courtEnoch Burke was sent back to prison after a heated court hearing. (extra.ie)
  • sentenceBurke was committed to prison indefinitely, until he purges his contempt. (thejournal.ie)
  • sentenceThe High Court imposed a daily fine of €700 on Burke. (thejournal.ie)
  • otherBurke had spent over 300 days in prison. (thejournal.ie)
  • otherA scuffle broke out when prison officers were removing Burke from the courtroom. (thejournal.ie)
  • otherBurke’s brother was physically removed from the courtroom by gardaí. (thejournal.ie)
  • otherBurke has not paid any of the fines imposed on him by the court last year. (thejournal.ie)
  • otherBurke continued to be paid his salary while in prison, pending his appeal against dismissal. (thejournal.ie)
  • otherBurke claims he is imprisoned because he was punished for his religious belief. (thejournal.ie)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 22 Mar2024
    In courtextra.ie, first report
    Enoch Burke Sent Back To Prison After Heated Court Hearing

    Only the headline is available. The body contains a template fragment, not article text. The date and location of the hearing are not stated.

    convicted, Enoch Burke, named, irish (judged from name)Enoch Burke
  2. 22 Mar2024
    In courtthejournal.ie, first report
    Scuffles in court as Enoch Burke sent back to prison again for failing to purge contempt

    Reports the 22 March 2024 High Court hearing at which Burke was sent back to prison after a heated hearing and a scuffle during his removal. No existing case covers this March 2024 hearing.

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