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. 14973Contempt of court · Co. Westmeath

Explainer on the Enoch Burke contempt case and whether prison still deters

Enoch Burke, a teacher, has spent over 500 days in prison for repeatedly breaching a court order to stay away from Wilson's Hospital School in Co Westmeath. The school secured a temporary High Court injunction in August 2022, and in March 2023 a judge fined him €700 for each day of non-compliance, a fine later increased to €1,400 a day. He was released from prison before Christmas, the third time he had been released, and fines owed now total €193,000, which have not been paid. In the latest report, published on 11 January 2025, Burke had returned to the school the Monday before publication, and the judge said he appears to be exploiting his imprisonment.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In court11 Jan
  5. Verdict
  6. Sentenced
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
Enoch Burke, a teacher, has spent over 500 days in prison for repeatedly breaching a court order.
Where
The court order banned Burke from Wilson's Hospital School in Co Westmeath.
Cause
Burke was ordered to stay away from the school, and the school's case centres on his attendance there.
In court
In August 2022, the school secured a temporary High Court injunction barring Burke from its premises or from teaching at the school.
Sentence
  • In March 2023, a judge fined Burke €700 for every day he did not comply with the court order.
  • The High Court increased the daily contempt fine from €700 to €1,400.
  • Fines owed by Burke now total €193,000 and have not been paid.
When
Burke was released from prison before Christmas, the third time he had been released.
Investigation
  • The judge directed officials from the Department of Finance and the Attorney General to explore ways to enforce the fines.
  • A solicitor said sequestration of assets is one possible enforcement option.
Other details
  • Burke returned to the school on the Monday before the article was published.
  • The judge said Burke appears to be exploiting his imprisonment, possibly while under the influence of others.
  • Keeping Burke in Mountjoy Prison costs €84,067 a year.
  • Burke continues to be paid his salary while on paid administrative leave.
13 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatEnoch Burke has spent over 500 days in prison for repeatedly breaching a court order to stay away from the school. (thejournal.ie)
  • whereThe court order banned Burke from Wilson's Hospital School in Co Westmeath. (thejournal.ie)
  • whenBurke was released from prison before Christmas, the third time he had been released. (thejournal.ie)
  • courtIn August 2022, the school secured a temporary High Court injunction preventing Burke from attending its premises or teaching at the school. (thejournal.ie)
  • courtThe judge directed officials from the Department of Finance and the Attorney General to explore ways to enforce the fines. (thejournal.ie)
  • sentenceIn March 2023, a judge fined Burke €700 for every day he did not comply with the court order. (thejournal.ie)
  • sentenceThe High Court increased the daily contempt fine from €700 to €1,400. (thejournal.ie)
  • sentenceFines owed by Burke now amount to €193,000 and have not been paid. (thejournal.ie)
  • otherBurke returned to the school on the Monday before the article was published. (thejournal.ie)
  • otherThe judge said Burke appears to be exploiting his imprisonment, possibly while under the influence of others. (thejournal.ie)
  • otherKeeping Burke in Mountjoy Prison costs €84,067 a year. (thejournal.ie)
  • otherBurke continues to be paid his salary while on paid administrative leave. (thejournal.ie)
  • otherA solicitor said sequestration of assets is one possible enforcement option. (thejournal.ie)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 11 Jan2025
    In courtthejournal.ie, first report
    The Enoch Burke saga and what happens when prison is no longer a deterrent

    A general explainer on the whole Enoch Burke case rather than a single new event. It adds the fine history, the enforcement options under discussion, the cost of his imprisonment, and comments from a solicitor.

    convicted, ENOCH BURKE, named, irish (judged from name)ENOCH BURKE