High Court judge to consider sequestration of Enoch Burke's assets over contempt fines
Mr Justice David Nolan at the High Court in Dublin is considering whether to allow the Attorney General to sequester the assets of teacher Enoch Burke to recover approximately €190,000 in contempt of court fines, imposed at €700 per day since January 2023, arising from a dispute with Wilson's Hospital School in Co Westmeath over the use of a student's new name and pronouns.
- Reportednot reported
- Arrestednot reported
- Chargednot reported
- In court7 Jan
3 reports - Verdict
- Sentenced
Key facts
consolidated from all reports29 statements extracted from the articles
- whatBurke was released from prison before Christmas (irishtimes.com)
- whatBurke spent a total of more than 500 days behind bars since August 2022 for contempt of court (irishtimes.com)
- whatApproximately €190,000 in fines are owed by Burke for each day he attended the school in breach of a court order. (irishtimes.com)
- whatBurke was released from prison before Christmas when the school was closed for the holidays. (irishtimes.com)
- whatBurke has spent more than 500 days in Mountjoy Prison for refusing to abide by a court order to stay away from the premises. (irishtimes.com)
- whatThe German and history teacher returned to the school when it reopened on 6 January and has been there on most working days since. (irishtimes.com)
- whereThe school is located in Co Westmeath. (irishmirror.ie)
- courtMr Justice David Nolan said coercive imprisonment should stop at least for the moment (irishtimes.com)
- courtThe case is listed for mention again in the High Court this month (irishtimes.com)
- courtThe Attorney General believes he has standing to seek sequestration of Enoch Burke's assets in the public interest. (irishtimes.com)
- courtMr Justice Nolan indicated he was minded to double the daily fine to €1,400 for each day Burke refuses to purge his contempt. (irishtimes.com)
- courtThe judge directed Burke to file written submissions within two weeks in advance of the court ruling. (irishtimes.com)
- courtMr Justice David Nolan estimates Burke owes approximately €190,000 in fines to date. (irishmirror.ie)
- courtA fine of €700 per day was imposed on Burke by the court since January 2023. (irishmirror.ie)
- courtThe school was granted injunctive relief restraining Burke from attending, but he continues to attend in breach of the order. (irishmirror.ie)
- courtA garnishee order would be in relation to Burke's salary and has never been made in Ireland, though it has been made in England and Wales. (irishmirror.ie)
- courtJustice Nolan said the court has the power to lock someone up for contempt but does not have similar powers to recover contempt fines. (irishmirror.ie)
- courtJustice Nolan gave Burke 14 days to make submissions before he would make a ruling. (irishmirror.ie)
- otherThe judge sought details of how the almost €200,000 in fines Burke owed will be recovered (irishtimes.com)
- otherThe fine was increasing at €700 per day Burke attended the school property (irishtimes.com)
- otherThe judge doubled the daily fine to €1,400 when he released Burke in December (irishtimes.com)
- otherBurke is still on full pay pending an appeal hearing regarding his dismissal (irishtimes.com)
- otherThe appeal process has been held up by separate legal actions (irishtimes.com)
- otherEmployment solicitor Anne O'Connell said the court might have no option but to send Burke back to jail (irishtimes.com)
- otherOne of Burke's brothers was in court to take notes of what occurred. (irishtimes.com)
- otherBurke is an Evangelical Christian who argued his suspension was unlawful and went against his right to express his religious beliefs. (irishmirror.ie)
- otherBurke has been on suspended paid administrative leave from the school since August 2022. (irishmirror.ie)
- otherBurke was released from prison days before Christmas and continues to attend the school almost every day since it reopened. (irishmirror.ie)
- otherBurke said in an email that any attempt to strip him of his livelihood was 'deeply disturbing'. (irishmirror.ie)
The reporting
newest first- 22 Jan2025High Court judge to consider order to sequester assets of Enoch Burke over fines
Reports on a High Court hearing where the judge is considering enforcement options for contempt fines, including sequestration of assets and a garnishee order against Burke's salary, with Burke given 14 days to make submissions before a ruling.
accused, Enoch Burke, male, named, irish (judged from name)Enoch Burke - 21 Jan2025Attorney General could apply to sequester Enoch Burke’s assets on foot of court fines, judge told
Reports on a High Court hearing before Mr Justice David Nolan in which the Attorney General's position on sequestering Burke's assets was discussed, along with the ongoing situation of Burke attending the school in breach of a court order and the judge's indication he was minded to double the daily fine to €1,400.
accused, Enoch Burke, male, named, irish (judged from name)Enoch Burke - 7 Jan2025School could return to court to have Enoch Burke sent back to jail after he again defies court order
Burke defied the court order again on 6 January 2025; the school may seek his reimprisonment; the daily fine was doubled from €700 to €1,400 when he was released in December; the case is listed for mention in the High Court this month; Burke remains on full pay pending an appeal on his dismissal.
suspect, Enoch Burke, male, named, irish (judged from name)Enoch Burke