Thursday 29 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. 7461Contempt of court · Co. Westmeath

Enoch Burke to remain in Mountjoy Prison over contempt of court

Enoch Burke, a teacher, was committed to prison for contempt of court after repeatedly refusing to stay away from Wilson's Hospital School in Co Westmeath, where the school board says his presence causes severe disruption. At the High Court on Tuesday 3 October 2023, Mr Justice Mark Sanfey heard that Mr Burke would not comply with what he called an unjust order, and gardaí removed his father and sister from court after they shouted and interrupted. Mr Burke remains in Mountjoy Prison, and he can secure his release by giving undertakings to the court at any time. The matter will next be reviewed on 12 December.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In court3 Oct
  5. Verdict
  6. Sentenced
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
Enoch Burke, a teacher, remains in prison for contempt of court after again refusing to stay away from Wilson's Hospital School.
Where
Wilson's Hospital School is in Co Westmeath.
When
The High Court reviewed Mr Burke's committal for contempt on Tuesday 3 October 2023.
Cause
The school board says Mr Burke's presence at the school is causing severe disruption.
Charges
Mr Burke was jailed for contempt of court over breaching orders to stay away from the school.
In court
  • The High Court found there was no dispute that Mr Burke had flagrantly breached orders to stay away from the school.
  • Mr Burke told Mr Justice Mark Sanfey he would not comply with what he called an unjust order.
  • The judge removed Mr Burke's father and sister after they shouted at and interrupted the court, and gardaí physically removed them when they refused to leave.
  • The matter will next be reviewed by the courts on 12 December.
Sentence
  • Mr Burke was committed to prison indefinitely and remains there until he agrees to purge his contempt.
  • Mr Burke can secure his release by giving undertakings to the court at any time.
Other details
  • Mr Burke says he is imprisoned because of his religious beliefs.
  • This is Mr Burke's second jailing for contempt, and he spent over 100 days in prison between September and December of last year.
13 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatMr Burke remains in prison after again refusing to stay away from Wilson's Hospital School. (irishmirror.ie)
  • whenThe case was before the High Court on a Tuesday, when the committal was reviewed. (irishmirror.ie)
  • causeThe school board says Mr Burke's presence at the school is causing severe disruption. (irishmirror.ie)
  • courtMr Burke told the High Court he would not comply with what he called an unjust order. (irishmirror.ie)
  • courtThe judge removed Mr Burke's father and sister from the court after they shouted at and interrupted the court. (irishmirror.ie)
  • courtMr Burke's father and sister were physically removed by gardaí after refusing to leave. (irishmirror.ie)
  • courtMr Burke can secure his release by giving undertakings to the court at any time. (irishmirror.ie)
  • courtThe matter will next be reviewed by the courts on 12 December. (irishmirror.ie)
  • courtThe High Court found there was no dispute that Mr Burke had flagrantly breached orders to stay away from the school. (irishmirror.ie)
  • sentenceThe judge ruled that Mr Burke remains incarcerated until he agrees to purge his contempt. (irishmirror.ie)
  • sentenceMr Burke was committed to prison indefinitely after the High Court found he had flagrantly breached orders. (irishmirror.ie)
  • otherMr Burke says he is imprisoned because of his religious beliefs. (irishmirror.ie)
  • otherThis is the second time Mr Burke has been jailed for contempt, and he spent over 100 days in prison between September and December of last year. (irishmirror.ie)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 3 Oct2023
    In courtirishmirror.ie, first report
    Enoch Burke to remain in Mountjoy as family members removed from court

    Reports the High Court review on Tuesday 3 October 2023, where Mr Burke's committal for contempt was continued, and family members were removed from court.

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