Courts / Ireland / Report
Enoch Burke in 'self-praise that beggars belief' judge finds, as school can enforce fine from next week
Summary
The High Court has ruled that Enoch Burke must pay Wilson's Hospital school for legal costs incurred during two pre-trial motions in their ongoing dispute. Mr Justice Brian O'Moore awarded the school its costs for bringing contempt proceedings after Burke resumed attending the premises in early January, and for his unsuccessful application to stay the full High Court hearing pending a Court of Appeal decision. The judge described Burke's claim of proper conduct as "self-praise that beggars belief," noting his refusal to comply with court orders for six months. The €700 daily fine for contempt, currently exceeding €30,000, was crystallised rather than increased or reduced. From March 23, the school is authorised to enforce these fines through measures such as asset sequestration. The judge rejected Burke's arguments that compliance violated his religious beliefs, stating he could have obeyed the injunction without such conflict. Burke's accusations that the school's counsel engaged in grave misconduct were deemed "utterly without justification." The full hearing of the action is scheduled for later this month. Burke was previously jailed for 108 days for contempt of High Court orders granted last September, which restrain him from attending the school following his suspension from his teaching post. He claims wrongful suspension due to his objections to a direction regarding a student's name and pronouns, alleging breaches of his constitutional rights and religious beliefs. The Court of Appeal recently dismissed his appeal against these injunctions.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Enoch Burke in 'self-praise that beggars belief' judge finds, as school can enforce fine from next week. Procedural stage: appeal
When:
- March 23rd Other
- Christmas Other
- 2023-03-16 Publication
Why: He claims he was wrongfully suspended by the school because of his objections to what he says was a direction by the school to refer to a student who wishes to transition by a different name and pronoun. CNI source report
Case subjects
Defendant
Outcome: Enoch Burke was jailed for 108 days for contempt of High Court orders granted last September that restrain him from attending at the school following his suspension from his teaching post.
Places mentioned
- The High Court
- High Court
- Court of Appeal
- Wilson's Hospital
Topics
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