Ireland High Court orders Enoch Burke's arrest for breaching trespass order at Wilson's Hospital School
The High Court ordered that teacher Enoch Burke be arrested and brought before a judge on 19 January 2026 after he again breached a 2023 order permanently prohibiting him from trespassing on Wilson's Hospital School in Westmeath. Mr Justice Brian Cregan said he would make an order for committal to Mountjoy Jail depending on what Burke says.
- Reportednot reported
- Arrestednot reported
- Chargednot reported
- In court17 Dec
3 reports - Verdict
- Sentenced
Key facts
consolidated from all reports31 statements extracted from the articles
- whatHe breached a 2023 order permanently prohibiting him from trespassing on the school (irishmirror.ie)
- whatRosemary Mallon BL made the application on behalf of the school (irishmirror.ie)
- whatBurke was at the school less than an hour before the Friday afternoon court application (irishmirror.ie)
- whatHe went past the boundary wall before a security man stopped him (irishmirror.ie)
- whereThe school is Wilson's Hospital School in Westmeath (irishmirror.ie)
- causeHis dismissal arose from his refusal to call a transgender pupil by a new name and they/them pronoun (irishmirror.ie)
- courtThe Attorney General told the High Court that Enoch Burke and three family members will not be prosecuted for criminal contempt. (irishtimes.com)
- courtThe AG was asked by Mr Justice Brian Cregan to consider bringing criminal contempt proceedings. (irishtimes.com)
- courtPrison authorities were directed to bring Enoch Burke to the High Court central office on Tuesday. (irishtimes.com)
- courtMr Justice David Nolan made the direction on Monday. (irishtimes.com)
- courtBurke may initiate an action against a disciplinary appeals panel. (irishtimes.com)
- courtThe High Court office would be open between 10am and 4pm on Tuesday to deal with any matter before a duty judge. (irishtimes.com)
- courtJudge Nolan stated that Isaac Burke had no right of audience before the court on behalf of his brother. (irishtimes.com)
- courtThe High Court ordered Enoch Burke be arrested and brought before a judge on Monday 19 January 2026 (irishmirror.ie)
- courtMr Justice Brian Cregan made the order on Friday 16 January 2026 (irishmirror.ie)
- courtThe judge said he would make an order for committal depending on what Burke says (irishmirror.ie)
- sentenceFines imposed on Burke have amounted to more than €225,000. (irishtimes.com)
- otherEnoch Burke has been committed to jail for contempt on four occasions, totalling more than 530 days. (irishtimes.com)
- otherThe case was adjourned to early January for an update on the appeals panel outcome. (irishtimes.com)
- otherThe AG noted the disproportionate amount of court time consumed by the case. (irishtimes.com)
- otherBurke is in prison for repeated breaching of a court order directing him not to trespass at the school where he used to work. (irishtimes.com)
- otherBurke has spent Christmas in prison for repeatedly breaching court orders. (irishtimes.com)
- otherFines totalling hundreds of thousands of euro have been levelled against him. (irishtimes.com)
- otherHe was jailed again in November for breaching the order to stop trespassing. (irishtimes.com)
- otherBurke has spent just under 600 days in prison on foot of contempt of court orders. (irishtimes.com)
- otherBurke was released from prison on Wednesday 14 January 2026 after spending more than 560 days there over the last three years (irishmirror.ie)
- otherHis release was to allow him to prepare a case about the composition of an appeal panel hearing his dismissal appeal (irishmirror.ie)
- otherEach time he has been jailed it was for breach of an order not to trespass on the grounds (irishmirror.ie)
- otherHe has said he was jailed because of his views on transgenderism in breach of his religious and constitutional rights (irishmirror.ie)
- otherA number of judges have told him he was jailed for breaching a court order, not about religious or constitutional rights (irishmirror.ie)
- otherThe court will decide whether to commit him back to Mountjoy Jail (irishmirror.ie)
The reporting
newest first- 19 Jan2026Court orders Enoch Burke arrest so he can make his case for freedom
Reports the High Court ordering Enoch Burke's arrest for breaching a 2023 trespass order at Wilson's Hospital School, with committal to Mountjoy Jail to follow depending on his response on Monday. Notes he was released from prison on Wednesday after 560+ days to prepare his appeal panel case.
accused, Enoch Burke, male, named, irish (judged from name)Enoch Burke - 5 Jan2026Schoolteacher Enoch Burke to be brought to High Court office for potential action
Reports a 5 January 2026 High Court hearing where Judge Nolan directed Burke be brought to the central office to potentially challenge the disciplinary appeals panel, noted he has spent just under 600 days in prison, and described the origin of the dispute over a pupil's name and pronouns.
convicted, Enoch Burke, male, named, irish (judged from name)Enoch Burke - 17 Dec2025Enoch Burke will not be prosecuted for criminal contempt, Attorney General tells High Court
AG Rossa Fanning explained in person the decision not to prosecute, citing futility, disproportionate court time, and the burden on the President of the High Court. A disciplinary appeals panel had heard Burke's dismissal appeal on Saturday and would rule within 10 school days. The case was adjourned to early January.
accused, Enoch Burke, male, named, irish (judged from name)Enoch Burkeaccused, Ammi, namedAmmiaccused, Isaac, namedIsaacaccused, Martina, female, namedMartina