Members of Burke family again removed from court during GSOC application

Two members of the Burke family were removed from the Court of Appeal by gardaí on 10 November after loudly protesting when the presiding judge muted Enoch Burke's microphone during proceedings. The court was hearing a civil application by the Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission for access to ambient audio recordings made in the Four Courts. Mr Justice John Edwards told Sean and Isaac Burke they were in contempt of court before their removal. Enoch Burke, appearing by videolink from Mountjoy Prison, opposed the GSOC application, arguing the court had jurisdiction to decide the matter. The judge expressed concern about whether the Court of Appeal possessed jurisdiction over recordings made when court was not sitting. Mr Justice Edwards adjourned the case to 8 December to address the jurisdictional question. Simeon Burke, with an address at Cloonsunna, Castlebar, County Mayo, was convicted of a public order offence following a disruption at the court in March 2023.