Ireland High Court narrows arrest order in Westmeath contempt of court case
Enoch Burke, a teacher dismissed from Wilson's Hospital School in Co Westmeath in May 2023 for gross misconduct, has been trespassing at the school in breach of a court order on approximately 15 occasions since the start of the school year in late August 2026. On 15 October 2026, the High Court found his conduct amounted to a deliberate and flagrant contempt of court and ordered his arrest and committal to Mountjoy Prison. On 29 October 2026, Judge Brian Cregan amended the order so Burke can only be arrested if he appears within 100 metres of the school, imposed a further €30,000 in fines bringing the total to €238,268.18, and ordered him to file a statement of affairs within 21 days. Burke, who has spent over 700 days in prison in separate spells, was not present at the hearing and the case was adjourned for one week.
- Reportednot reported
- Arrestednot reported
- Chargednot reported
- In court30 Mar
8 reports - Verdict
- Sentenced
Key facts
consolidated from all reports- What happened
- Enoch Burke, a teacher dismissed from Wilson's Hospital School in May 2023 for gross misconduct, has been trespassing at the school in breach of a court order since the start of the school year in late August 2026.
- Where
- Wilson's Hospital School is in Co Westmeath.
- When
- Burke has trespassed at the school on approximately 15 occasions since the start of the school year in late August 2026.
- Cause
- The school said Burke's ongoing presence was causing severe disruption for staff and students.
- In court
- In May 2023, the High Court granted the school a permanent injunction barring Burke from its premises, awarded €15,000 in damages, and dismissed Burke's counterclaim that the disciplinary proceedings were unlawful.
- On 15 October 2026, Judge Brian Cregan found Burke's conduct amounted to a deliberate and flagrant contempt of court and ordered his immediate attachment and committal to Mountjoy Prison.
- The judge indicated he was considering a garnishee order to redirect Burke's income towards his fines and a receiver to sequester a car used by Burke to travel to the school, with the car issue adjourned for one week.
- The case was adjourned for one week with costs reserved.
- Sentence
- On 29 October 2026, the judge amended the arrest order so Burke can only be arrested if he appears at or within 100 metres of the school, imposed a further €30,000 in fines bringing the total to €238,268.18, and ordered him to file a statement of affairs within 21 days.
- Investigation
- Gardaí made two attempts to arrest Burke but have not been able to locate him, and he had not yet been arrested on foot of the latest orders.
- Other details
- Burke has spent over 700 days in prison in separate spells arising from his contempt of the court order.
- Burke maintains the case is about the freedom to express his religious beliefs and that he was not validly dismissed, while the school says the dismissal was because of his conduct.
82 statements extracted from the articles
- whatBurke and his sister Ammi were outside the Four Courts during the proceedings. (thejournal.ie)
- whatBurke read a statement outside the Four Courts alongside his mother Martina and sister Ammi while his brother Isaac recorded it. (thejournal.ie)
- whatThe school's lawyers sought permission to notify Burke that they intend to seek orders to have him brought to court and imprisoned. (rte.ie)
- whatWilson's Hospital School lodged a fresh High Court application over Burke's alleged trespassing at the school. (irishtimes.com)
- whatBurke was dismissed from his position at the school in May for gross misconduct. (irishtimes.com)
- whatThe High Court ordered Burke's arrest and committal to prison over his breach of a court order banning him from Wilson's Hospital School. (irishtimes.com)
- whereThe school is in Co Westmeath. (irishtimes.com)
- whereBurke trespassed at Wilson’s Hospital School for a total of 15 days since the start of the school year. (thejournal.ie)
- whereBurke will only face arrest if he returns to Wilson's Hospital School. (irishmirror.ie)
- whereBurke has been banned from going within 100 metres of a school in Co Westmeath. (dublinlive.ie)
- whenBurke has attended the school every day since the new school year began in late August. (rte.ie)
- whenBurke had been trespassing at the school repeatedly since the beginning of the academic year. (irishtimes.com)
- whenBurke was ordered back to prison for a sixth time earlier this month. (thejournal.ie)
- whenThe High Court ordered Burke’s arrest and committal to Mountjoy Prison two weeks before this hearing. (thejournal.ie)
- whenBurke attended the school again on 13 October. (thejournal.ie)
- whenEarlier this month, the judge ordered Burke's attachment and committal after hearing evidence of repeated trespassing at the school. (irishmirror.ie)
- causeThe school said Burke's ongoing presence was causing severe disruption for staff and students. (rte.ie)
- investigationThe school considered involving gardaí and hiring private security but said these options were not feasible. (rte.ie)
- investigationThe school contacted gardaí and employed security personnel at the school premises. (irishtimes.com)
- investigationGardaí visited Burke’s family home on at least two occasions without arresting him. (thejournal.ie)
- investigationBurke had not yet been arrested on foot of the latest attachment and committal orders. (irishmirror.ie)
- investigationGardaí in Castlebar, Mullingar and the Bridewell in Dublin were informed of the orders and given relevant documents. (irishmirror.ie)
- investigationGardaí made two attempts to arrest Burke but have not been able to locate him. (dublinlive.ie)
- courtThe court heard the exact reasons why Enoch Burke was put on paid leave. (extra.ie)
- courtBurke has not been in the courtroom since Tuesday afternoon after the judge warned him he could only return if he accepted the authority of the court. (thejournal.ie)
- courtThe case continued without Burke or a legal representative, with witnesses called by the school without cross-examination. (thejournal.ie)
- courtThe judge indicated he would deliver a judgment shortly and that interlocutory injunctions should continue until it is delivered. (thejournal.ie)
- courtThe judge directed that Burke be served personally and adjourned the matter to Friday. (rte.ie)
- courtThe judge in May 2023 granted the school a permanent injunction barring Burke from its premises and awarded €15,000 damages. (rte.ie)
- courtBurke's counterclaim that the disciplinary proceedings were unlawful was dismissed by the court. (rte.ie)
- courtSchool lawyers told Judge Brian Cregan on Tuesday that Burke had trespassed on various occasions since the start of the academic year, in breach of a court order. (irishtimes.com)
- courtThe judge granted the school permission to serve Burke with its application for his attachment and committal to prison over contempt of the court order. (irishtimes.com)
- courtThe case will return to court later this week. (irishtimes.com)
- courtBurke was not represented at the hearing. (irishtimes.com)
- courtThe judge found Burke's conduct amounted to a deliberate and flagrant contempt of court. (irishtimes.com)
- courtBurke has been ordered to provide the High Court with a statement of his means within three weeks. (thejournal.ie)
- courtThe judge modified the arrest and imprisonment order so it applies only if Burke appears at or within 100 metres of the school. (thejournal.ie)
- courtThe judge said he was considering a garnishee order that would redirect Burke’s salary or other money towards his fines. (thejournal.ie)
- courtThe issue of the car used by Burke was adjourned for one week, with costs reserved. (thejournal.ie)
- courtJudge Brian Cregan amended the existing attachment and committal order for Burke to Mountjoy Prison. (irishmirror.ie)
- courtThe judge narrowed the order so Burke is arrested only if he appears at or within 100 metres of the school. (irishmirror.ie)
- courtIt is up to the school to notify gardaí if Burke seeks to trespass again. (irishmirror.ie)
- courtThe judge ordered Burke to file a statement of affairs with the court. (irishmirror.ie)
- courtThe judge said he was minded to appoint a receiver to sequester a car used by Burke to travel to the school. (irishmirror.ie)
- courtThe case will return to court next week. (irishmirror.ie)
- courtBurke must provide a statement of affairs to the High Court within 21 days. (dublinlive.ie)
- courtThe judge modified the arrest order so Burke can be arrested if he trespasses within 100 metres of the school. (dublinlive.ie)
- courtThe court addressed an order for the seizure of the car Burke used to travel to and from the school. (dublinlive.ie)
- courtThe judge will consider a garnishee order redirecting Burke's future Department of Education income to pay fines. (dublinlive.ie)
- courtBurke did not appear at the High Court proceedings on Thursday. (dublinlive.ie)
- courtThe matter was adjourned for one week with costs reserved. (dublinlive.ie)
- sentenceBurke was jailed for several months in Mountjoy Prison and released shortly before Christmas. (rte.ie)
- sentenceThe High Court imposed a daily fine of €700 after Christmas, and Burke continued to attend. (rte.ie)
- sentenceJudge Cregan ordered Burke's release from prison in July, despite Burke refusing to give an undertaking not to trespass at the school. (irishtimes.com)
- sentenceThe judge ordered Burke's immediate attachment and committal to Mountjoy Prison. (irishtimes.com)
- sentenceThe judge ordered the sequestration of a vehicle driven by Burke to the school. (irishtimes.com)
- sentenceThe judge placed a two-week stay on the vehicle sequestration order. (irishtimes.com)
- sentenceThe judge imposed a further €30,000 in fines on Burke, bringing his outstanding fines to €238,268.18. (thejournal.ie)
- sentenceThe judge ordered Burke to pay €30,000 in fines for trespassing since August. (irishmirror.ie)
- sentenceTotal court fines arising from Burke's contempt are now over €238,000. (irishmirror.ie)
- sentenceThe statement of affairs should be filed within 21 days. (irishmirror.ie)
- sentenceBurke owes €238,268.18 in fines for defying a court order not to trespass at the school. (dublinlive.ie)
- sentenceBurke faces a daily fine of €2,000 for trespassing at the school. (dublinlive.ie)
- sentenceBurke had already incurred fines totalling €208,268.18. (dublinlive.ie)
- otherBurke, an Evangelical Christian, maintains the case is about the freedom to express his religious beliefs. (thejournal.ie)
- otherBurke failed to comply with a court order to stay away from the school after his suspension in August 2022. (rte.ie)
- otherBurke says he was dismissed because of his Christian beliefs, while the school says it was because of his conduct. (rte.ie)
- otherBurke has challenged the three-person appeal panel and judgment in those proceedings is awaited. (rte.ie)
- otherBurke maintains he was not validly dismissed. (irishtimes.com)
- otherSince late last month Burke has continued to trespass on the school premises, after previously confining his protest to outside the school gates. (irishtimes.com)
- otherBurke has spent more than 700 days in prison in separate spells arising from his contempt of the court order. (irishtimes.com)
- otherBurke was not present at the hearing because he was at the school. (irishtimes.com)
- otherBurke has already spent over 700 days in prison in different spells for breaching the order. (irishtimes.com)
- otherBurke has amassed fines of over €208,000 over his breaches. (irishtimes.com)
- otherBurke was formally dismissed from his position at the school in May for gross misconduct. (irishtimes.com)
- otherBurke maintains he was not validly dismissed and is seeking reinstatement through the courts. (irishtimes.com)
- otherBurke has not appeared at the school since the order for his arrest was made. (thejournal.ie)
- otherBurke had not attended the school since the judge made the orders. (irishmirror.ie)
- otherBurke had paid nothing towards the fines. (irishmirror.ie)
- otherBurke says he is not the owner of the car. (irishmirror.ie)
- otherBurke was formally dismissed from the school in May for gross misconduct and maintains the dismissal was not valid. (irishmirror.ie)
- otherBurke has trespassed at the school about 15 times since the start of the school year. (dublinlive.ie)
The reporting
newest first- 29 Oct2026Enoch Burke banned from going within 100 metres of school
Reports the High Court amending the arrest order to a 100-metre limit, the fines now totalling €238,268.18, roughly 15 trespasses since the start of the school year, an order for a statement of affairs within 21 days, a possible garnishee order, and a possible seizure of the car he used to reach the school. Burke did not attend the hearing.
suspect, Enoch Burke, male, named, irish (judged from name)Enoch Burke - 29 Oct2026Enoch Burke arrest decision reached after two weeks of staying away from school
Reports the Thursday hearing at which the attachment and committal order was narrowed to arrest only if Burke appears at or within 100 metres of the school. Adds a €30,000 fine, a total of over €238,000 in fines, a 21-day deadline for a statement of affairs, a possible receiver to sequester a car, and that the case returns next week.
accused, Enoch Burke, named, irish (judged from name)Enoch Burke - 29 Oct2026Enoch Burke ordered to disclose income as judge considers measures to recover €238k in fines
Adds that the judge ordered a statement of means, considered a garnishee order, imposed a further €30,000 in fines bringing the total to €238,268.18, and narrowed the arrest order. Reports that Burke was jailed for a sixth time and trespassed 15 days this school year, and that the car sequestration issue was adjourned for a week.
convicted, Enoch Burke, male, named, irish (judged from name)Enoch Burke - 15 Oct2026Enoch Burke: High Court again orders arrest and jailing of sacked teacher over school trespass
Reports the High Court hearing at which Judge Brian Cregan ordered Burke's immediate attachment and committal to Mountjoy Prison for deliberate and flagrant contempt of court, and the sequestration of his car. Details the background of Burke's dismissal, the 2022 confrontation over pronouns, his 700+ days in prison and €208,000 in fines from prior breaches, and the school's evidence of repeated trespassing since late August.
accused, Enoch Burke, named, irish (judged from name)Enoch Burke - 13 Oct2026Enoch Burke faces jail again as school lodges fresh High Court application
Reports the school's fresh High Court application and Judge Cregan granting permission to serve Burke with the committal application; provides background on the 700+ days Burke has spent in prison, the origin of the dispute over a student's pronouns at a June 2022 religious event, and Burke's unrepresented appearance.
accused, Enoch Burke, named, irish (judged from name)Enoch Burke - 5 Sep2023School to seek orders over Enoch Burke's attendance
Reports the school's new High Court application for attachment and committal orders against Burke, who the school says has attended every day since late August 2023. The judge granted short notice and adjourned the matter to Friday. Adds background on the 2022 suspension, the earlier jail term, the daily fine and the pending appeal and panel challenge.
accused, Enoch Burke, named, irish (judged from name)Enoch Burke - 31 Mar2023'It’s necessary to call a spade a spade': Judge rejects complaints that he 'mocked' Enoch Burke
Covers the closing statements phase of the main High Court case on 30–31 March 2023. Judge Owens rejected Burke's emailed complaints, Burke and family appeared outside the Four Courts, the case continued without Burke present, and the judge indicated a judgment would be delivered shortly with interlocutory injunctions continuing.
accused, Enoch Burke, male, named, irish (judged from name)Enoch Burke - 30 Mar2023Court Hears Of Exact Reasons Why Enoch Burke Was Put On Paid Leave
Court hearing at which the exact reasons for Burke's paid leave were discussed.
suspect, Enoch Burke, named, irish (judged from name)Enoch Burke