Courts / Ireland / Report

Enoch Burke's criticism of judges 'scurrilous' and 'utterly without merit', High Court judge says

Summary

A High Court judge has firmly rejected criticisms levelled by imprisoned teacher Enoch Burke against members of the judiciary, describing such allegations as "scurrilous" and "utterly without merit". Mr Justice Brian O'Moore addressed remarks made by Mr Burke, a Co Mayo educator currently detained in Mountjoy Prison, who has compared the Irish judicial system to those of totalitarian regimes including the former USSR, China, and North Korea. The judge characterised Mr Burke's descriptions of judges as presiding over a "cover-up" or "stitch-up" as inappropriate. Mr Justice O'Moore also invoked Christian teaching, reminding Mr Burke of the Golden Rule from scripture. Mr Burke appeared before the High Court seeking to delay the substantive hearing of proceedings brought by Wilson's Hospital School in Co Westmeath pending determination of his appeal against an injunction. He contends his imprisonment breaches constitutional rights to religious freedom, claiming the case concerns his objection to transgendarism. The school disputes this, asserting the dispute centres on his refusal to comply with suspension terms. Mr Burke's Court of Appeal hearing is scheduled for mid-February.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Enoch Burke's criticism of judges 'scurrilous' and 'utterly without merit', High Court judge says. Procedural stage: appeal

When:

• Christmas Other
• 2022-11-07 Publication

Why: 9% of the people on the street believe that the case is about his objection to transgenderism, and that he has been jailed because of his religious belief that there are only two genders. CNI source report

Places mentioned

Topics

Stage Appeal

Read the original CNI report