Ireland High Court orders jailing of Enoch Burke's mother and sister for contempt
Martina Burke and Ammi Burke, the mother and sister of teacher Enoch Burke, were found in contempt of court by the High Court in Dublin over shouting and interruptions at a hearing on 20 February 2026. Both women had made submissions at a hearing the previous week, and gardaí had to remove them from court on 20 February. On 4 March 2026 the court ordered their immediate arrest and committal and sentenced each woman to two weeks in prison, but neither attended to hear the judgment. The latest development is the attachment and committal order issued on 4 March, together with the judge's intention to require remote attendance at future hearings, with three weeks for objection.
- Reportednot reported
- Arrestednot reported
- Chargednot reported
- In courtnot reported
- Verdictnot reported
- Sentenced4 Mar
2 reports
Key facts
consolidated from all reports- What happened
- The High Court found Martina Burke and Ammi Burke in contempt of court.
- Where
- The contempt proceedings took place at the High Court in County Dublin.
- When
- The hearing at which the shouting and interruptions occurred was on 20 February 2026.
- Cause
- Both women repeatedly interrupted proceedings by shouting and roaring, and gardaí had to remove them from court.
- Ammi Burke's interruptions prevented an application by Wilson's Hospital School from being heard.
- Investigation
- The judge said he would send papers about Ammi Burke, a solicitor, to the Law Society disciplinary committee.
- In court
- Both women had made submissions at a hearing the previous week.
- Neither woman attended the High Court on 4 March 2026 to hear the judgment, though the registrar had called them twice.
- The judge intended to order Martina, Ammi and Isaac Burke to attend future hearings remotely and gave them three weeks to object.
- Sentence
- On 4 March 2026 Martina Burke and Ammi Burke were each sentenced to two weeks in prison for contempt of court.
- The judge issued an order for the women's attachment and committal, as neither was in court.
- Other details
- Isaac Burke told the court that his mother and sister were at their place of work.
- The judge said the family circus could no longer be tolerated in its abuse of the courts.
- Enoch Burke described the judgment as fearful and nefarious.
17 statements extracted from the articles
- whatThe High Court ordered the immediate arrest and committal to prison of Martina Burke and Ammi Burke for contempt of court. (rte.ie)
- whenThe hearing at which the shouting and interruptions occurred was on 20 February. (gript.ie)
- causeThe contempt proceedings concerned shouting and interruptions by both women at a hearing. (gript.ie)
- causeThe women repeatedly interrupted proceedings by shouting and roaring and had to be removed from court by gardaí. (rte.ie)
- investigationThe judge said he would send papers to the Law Society disciplinary committee about Ammi Burke, a solicitor. (rte.ie)
- courtNeither woman attended the High Court to hear the judgment. (gript.ie)
- courtBoth women had made submissions at a hearing the previous week. (gript.ie)
- courtThe judge found both women were in contempt of court. (rte.ie)
- courtAmmi Burke's interruptions prevented an application by Wilson's Hospital School from being heard. (rte.ie)
- courtThe judge intended to order that Martina, Ammi and Isaac Burke attend future hearings remotely, and gave them three weeks to object. (rte.ie)
- sentenceMartina and Ammi Burke were each sentenced to two weeks in prison for contempt of court. (gript.ie)
- sentenceThe judge issued an order for the women's attachment and committal. (gript.ie)
- sentenceEach woman was ordered jailed for two weeks. (rte.ie)
- otherIsaac Burke told the court that his mother and sister were at their place of work. (gript.ie)
- otherThe judge said the family circus could no longer be tolerated in its abuse of the courts. (gript.ie)
- otherEnoch Burke described the judgment as fearful and nefarious. (gript.ie)
- otherThe women were called twice by the registrar and were not in court when the order was made. (rte.ie)
The reporting
newest first- 4 Mar2026Court orders jailing of Enoch Burke's mother and sister
Reports the High Court's 4 March 2026 order for the arrest and two-week committal of Martina and Ammi Burke, the judge's findings, and his plan to have the family attend future hearings remotely.
convicted, Martina Burke, named, irish (judged from name)Martina Burkeconvicted, Ammi Burke, named, irish (judged from name)Ammi Burke - 4 Mar2026Burke women sentenced to two weeks in prison - Gript
Reports the High Court sentencing of Martina and Ammi Burke to two weeks in prison each on 4 March 2026 and the committal order issued when neither woman attended. Their later arrest outside Castlerea Prison on 31 March is a separate event and is not matched to case 10241.
convicted, female, irish (judged from name)convicted, Ammi Burke, female, named, irish (judged from name)Ammi Burke