Courts / Ireland / Report

Enoch Burke to remain in prison as family members again removed from court

Summary

Teacher Enoch Burke was ordered to remain in Mountjoy Prison on Tuesday after refusing to purge his contempt of court. The matter was before the High Court for a review of his ongoing imprisonment, which stems from his deliberate failure to comply with a permanent injunction granted by Mr Justice Alexander Owens earlier this year. The school's Board of Management sought his committal after alleging he attended Wilson's Hospital School daily, causing disruption. Mr Justice Mark Sanfey ruled that the court was solely concerned with the contempt issue, not the underlying dispute. Mr Burke refused to give undertakings to stay away from the school, describing the order as unjust and a violation of his religious beliefs. During the proceedings, his father Sean Burke and sister Ammi Burke were physically removed by gardai for shouting and interrupting the court, while his mother Martina Burke eventually left voluntarily. Mr Justice Sanfey directed that Mr Burke be returned to prison until he is prepared to provide undertakings securing his release. The judge noted that Mr Burke could appear at any time to purge his contempt. The matter was adjourned and will be next reviewed by the courts on December 12th.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Enoch Burke to remain in prison as family members again removed from court. Procedural stage: sentence

When:

• December 12th Hearing Or Sentence
• August 2022 Hearing Or Sentence
• Christmas Other
• 2023-10-03 Publication

Why: " In his brief submissions to the court, Mr Burke argued that he was only in prison because of his religious beliefs and opposition to Transgenderism, and that the previous order by Mr Justice Alexander Owens is invalid. CNI source report

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Read the original CNI report