Ireland High Court rules Enoch Burke's transfer from Mountjoy to Castlerea Prison was lawful
The High Court dismissed Enoch Burke's challenge to his transfer from Mountjoy Prison to Castlerea Prison, ruling on 18 March 2026 that under the Prisons Act 2007 a prisoner may be lawfully confined in any prison and moved between prisons. Judge Brian Cregan also directed Burke to pay the legal costs of the prison governors.
- Reportednot reported
- Arrestednot reported
- Chargednot reported
- In court12 Mar
3 reports - Verdict
- Sentenced
Key facts
consolidated from all reports17 statements extracted from the articles
- whatBurke has spent more than 600 days in prison in separate spells for his contempt of the court order (irishtimes.com)
- whatDavid Perry opened a sworn statement of Don Cullinton, director of operations at the Irish Prison Service (irishtimes.com)
- whatBurke said the 1914 Act dealt with criminal matters and should not apply to his case (irishtimes.com)
- whatThe school suspended and later dismissed Burke over his conduct towards then-principal Niamh McShane at a school religious event in June 2022 (irishtimes.com, irishmirror.ie)
- whatBurke, an evangelical Christian, maintained the request went against his religious beliefs (irishtimes.com)
- whatBurke has spent more than 600 days in prison in separate spells for contempt of the court order (irishmirror.ie)
- whatThe prisons' governors' lawyers maintained they had a legal right to transfer Burke under the Criminal Justice (Administration) Act 1914 (irishmirror.ie)
- whatBurke is an evangelical Christian who maintained the request to use 'they' and 'them' pronouns went against his religious beliefs (irishmirror.ie)
- whatCullinton said providing a single occupancy cell at Mountjoy was not possible due to overcrowding (irishmirror.ie)
- whatBurke declined to purge his contempt, saying he should not be in prison (irishmirror.ie)
- whatBurke is an evangelical Christian who maintained the request went against his religious beliefs. (irishtimes.com)
- whenBurke was transferred from Mountjoy Prison to Castlerea Prison on 1 March 2026 (irishtimes.com)
- whenBurke was transferred from Mountjoy Prison in Dublin to Castlerea Prison in Co Roscommon on 1 March 2026 (irishmirror.ie)
- courtThe judge said it was a tragedy that Burke was wasting his life and reserved his judgment to the following week (irishtimes.com)
- courtThe judge reserved his judgment on the prison transfer matter to the following week (irishmirror.ie)
- courtThe judge directed Burke to pay the legal costs incurred by the governors of Mountjoy and Castlerea. (irishtimes.com)
- courtBurke is currently seeking permission to bring a late appeal challenging the May 2023 order. (irishtimes.com)
The reporting
newest first- 18 Mar2026Enoch Burke’s transfer from Mountjoy to Castlerea was lawful, High Court rules
Reports the High Court ruling that Enoch Burke's transfer from Mountjoy to Castlerea was lawful, the judge's criticism of Burke's framing of his imprisonment, and the costs order.
accused, Enoch Burke, male, named, irish (judged from name)Enoch Burke - 12 Mar2026Jailed teacher Enoch Burke moved to Castlerea for his own safety, court hears
Reports the 12 March 2026 High Court hearing where Burke challenged his transfer and the judge reserved judgment; provides background on the original contempt order, the reasons for the transfer, and Burke's refusal to purge his contempt.
suspect, Enoch Burke, male, named, irish (judged from name)Enoch Burke - 12 Mar2026Enoch Burke was moved to Castlerea jail for own safety, High Court hears
Reports the High Court hearing on 12 March 2026 where prison authorities' sworn statement was presented regarding the basis for Burke's transfer; judge reserved judgment to the following week.
accused, Enoch Burke, male, named, irish (judged from name)Enoch Burkevictim, Niamh McShane, irish (judged from name)Niamh McShane