Ireland Enoch Burke to remain in prison after refusing to purge contempt
Enoch Burke, a former teacher, is in prison for contempt of court after being found to have breached a High Court order not to trespass at Wilson's Hospital School in County Westmeath. His dispute with the school began in 2022, and in May 2023 the High Court ruled that his suspension by the school was lawful. In July 2023 Judge Alexander Owens ordered him not to trespass on the school premises, and a judge later said he had defied court orders by attending the school after his suspension. At a High Court hearing by video link reported in May 2026, Burke again declined to purge his contempt, and he remained in prison past the 650-day mark.
- Reportednot reported
- Arrestednot reported
- Chargednot reported
- In court1 May
- Verdict
- Sentenced
Key facts
consolidated from all reports- What happened
- Enoch Burke, a former teacher, is in prison for contempt of court.
- Charges
- Burke was found to have breached a High Court order banning him from trespassing at the school.
- Where
- The school is Wilson's Hospital School in County Westmeath.
- When
- Burke has been in a legal dispute with the school since 2022.
- Burke appeared by video link and again declined to purge his contempt, which would have allowed him to leave prison.
- The article is dated 1 May 2026 in its index entry and 5 May 2026 on the page.
- In court
- In May 2023 the High Court ruled that the school's suspension of Burke was lawful.
- In July 2023 Judge Alexander Owens ordered Burke not to trespass on the school premises but not to stay away from outside the school gates.
- A judge said Burke had defied court orders and the board by attending the school after his suspension.
- Judge Brian Cregan told Burke he was in breach of a High Court order.
- The judge said Burke could be released at any stage if he committed to staying away from the school.
- Other details
- Burke claimed he was not trespassing when he returned to the school.
- Burke says the court order breaches his constitutional rights and religious beliefs.
- Sentence
- Burke has spent more than 650 days in prison.
11 statements extracted from the articles
- whereBurke is detained after breaching a High Court order banning him from trespassing at Wilson's Hospital School. (thejournal.ie)
- whenBurke appeared in court by video link, four years to the month since the dispute began. (thejournal.ie)
- courtBurke appeared before the High Court and was offered the chance to purge his contempt, which would allow him to leave prison. (thejournal.ie)
- courtBurke has been in a legal dispute with the school since 2022. (thejournal.ie)
- courtThe High Court ruled in May 2023 that Burke's suspension by the school was lawful. (thejournal.ie)
- courtIn July 2023, Judge Alexander Owens ordered Burke not to trespass at the school premises but not to stay away from outside the school gates. (thejournal.ie)
- courtThe judge said Burke had defied court orders and the board by attending the school after his suspension. (thejournal.ie)
- courtJudge Brian Cregan told Burke he was in breach of a High Court order and did not want to purge his contempt. (thejournal.ie)
- courtThe judge said Burke could be released from prison at any stage if he committed to staying away from the school. (thejournal.ie)
- sentenceBurke has spent more than 650 days in prison after being found to have violated court orders not to trespass at the school. (thejournal.ie)
- otherBurke says the direction was a breach of his constitutional rights and religious beliefs. (thejournal.ie)
The reporting
newest first- 1 May2026Enoch Burke to remain in prison past 650-day mark after again refusing to purge his contempt
Reports the High Court hearing at which Burke again declined to purge his contempt, appearing by video link, and the judge's comments on his release.
convicted, Enoch Burke, male, named, irish (judged from name)Enoch Burke