Courts / Mayo / Report

Members of Burke family again removed from court during GSOC application

Date
2023-11-10

Stage
Appeal

Primary locality
Castlebar

County
Mayo

Summary

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.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Members of Burke family again removed from court during GSOC application. Charges or matters: public order offence. Procedural stage: appeal

When:

March 7 Incident
June 9 Hearing Or Sentence
December 8 Adjournment
2023-11-10 Publication

Why: "It is my firm direction these two gentlemen be removed because they are in contempt of the court," Mr Justice Edwards told the two attending Garda sergeants. CNI source report