Thursday 29 October 2026Compiled from published reports. Every claim links to its source.

Ireland Crime

Every case followed from the first report to the sentence, or to where the reporting stopped.

Case No. 8821Contempt of court (breach of injunction, trespass at school) · Co. Westmeath

High Court sets Enoch Burke's outstanding trespass fines at €208,268.18

Enoch Burke, a former teacher, was found by the High Court to have breached an injunction by trespassing at Wilson's Hospital School in Westmeath on 205 days, accumulating €273,200 in fines. The daily fine was set at €700 by Judge Brian O'Moore on 26 January 2023, was raised to €1,400 from 20 December 2024, and was increased to €2,000 by Judge Nolan on 4 September 2025, and Burke was released from his fifth prison stint before the ruling. In a written judgment, Judge Brian Cregan set the headline amount at €273,000, deducted €64,931.82 already paid, leaving €208,268.18 outstanding, and awarded costs against Burke, who appeared by video link. The judge has yet to decide separately whether to ban Burke's mother, brother and sister from attending court in person, and the latest development is this judgment, reported in July 2026.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In courtnot reported
  5. Verdictnot reported
  6. Sentenced1 Jul
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
The High Court ruled that Enoch Burke owes more than €200,000 in fines for repeatedly trespassing at Wilson's Hospital School.
Where
The trespass offences took place at Wilson's Hospital School in Westmeath.
Charges
The offence is contempt of court for breach of an injunction to stay away from the school.
When
  • Burke was found to have trespassed on 205 days, accumulating €273,200 in fines.
  • The article is dated 1 July 2026 in the record, while its page byline shows 15 July 2026.
Cause
Judge Brian O'Moore imposed an initial fine of €700 per day on 26 January 2023.
Investigation
Burke refused to give the court information about his assets and liabilities.
In court
  • Judge Brian Cregan set the headline amount owed at €273,000 in a written judgment.
  • Burke appeared in court via video link.
  • The judge said he would decide separately whether to ban Burke's mother, brother and sister from attending court in person.
Sentence
  • Burke had already paid €64,931.82, leaving €208,268.18 outstanding in fines.
  • Costs were awarded against Burke.
  • From 20 December 2024 Burke was told he would have to pay €1,400 for every day he breached the order, and Judge Nolan increased the daily fine to €2,000 on 4 September 2025.
Other details
Burke had been released from his fifth prison stint for disobeying an injunction to stay away from the school, and the judge said he had wasted 700 days of his life in prison.
13 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatThe High Court ruled that Enoch Burke owes more than €200,000 in fines for repeatedly trespassing at Wilson's Hospital School. (thejournal.ie)
  • whenBurke was found to have trespassed on 205 days, accumulating €273,200 in fines. (thejournal.ie)
  • causeThe initial fine of €700 per day was imposed by Judge Brian O'Moore on 26 January 2023. (thejournal.ie)
  • investigationBurke refused to give the court information about his assets and liabilities. (thejournal.ie)
  • courtJudge Brian Cregan set the headline amount owed at €273,000 in a written judgment. (thejournal.ie)
  • courtBurke appeared in court via video link. (thejournal.ie)
  • courtThe judge said he would decide separately whether to ban Burke's mother, brother and sister from attending court in person. (thejournal.ie)
  • sentenceBurke had already paid €64,931.82, leaving €208,268.18 outstanding in fines. (thejournal.ie)
  • sentenceCosts were awarded against Burke. (thejournal.ie)
  • sentenceFrom 20 December 2024 Burke was told he would have to pay €1,400 for every day he breached the order. (thejournal.ie)
  • sentenceThe daily fine was increased to €2,000 by Judge Nolan on 4 September 2025. (thejournal.ie)
  • otherBurke had been released from his fifth prison stint for disobeying an injunction to stay away from the school. (thejournal.ie)
  • otherThe judge said Burke had wasted 700 days of his life in prison. (thejournal.ie)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 1 Jul2026
    Sentencedthejournal.ie, first report
    Judge outlines exactly how much Enoch Burke owes in fines after 205 days trespassing at school

    Judgment on the total fines owed for repeatedly breaching the injunction; sets the headline amount at €273,000, deducts €64,931.82 already paid, and awards costs against Burke.

    convicted, Enoch Burke, named, irish (judged from name)Enoch Burke