Courts / Ireland / Report
Enoch Burke set to remain in jail for Christmas
Summary
Teacher Enoch Burke, the applicant, was ordered to remain in Mountjoy prison for the festive period after refusing to provide an undertaking to comply with a High Court order to stay away from Wilson's Hospital School. During a fraught appeal-stage hearing, Mr Justice Mark Sanfey directed Mr Burke and his family to leave the courtroom for interrupting proceedings. Mr Burke alleged that his imprisonment resulted from judicial decisions and claimed the school was covering up evidence, while criticizing several judges, including Mr Justice George Birmingham, Ms Justice Marie Whelan, and Mr Justice Brian O'Moore. Counsel for the school board, Rosemary Mallon BL, stated the board was reluctantly seeking to maintain the status quo. The judge ruled that Mr Burke must remain incarcerated until he purges his contempt, noting he could secure release by providing undertakings at any time. The judge described the conduct as an orchestrated campaign to disrupt proceedings and a flagrant breach of court orders. The matter was adjourned to a date in February for a further review. Mr Burke was previously jailed in September for deliberately failing to comply with a permanent injunction granted by Mr Justice Owens in July, which restrained him from attending the school. The school board alleges his presence caused severe disruption, a claim he denies. He is separately appealing his dismissal from his post as a German and History teacher.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Enoch Burke set to remain in jail for Christmas. Procedural stage: appeal
When:
- August 2022 Hearing Or Sentence
- Christmas Other
- 2023-12-12 Publication
Why: In submissions to the court, Enoch Burke said that he was in prison because of decisions made by various judges. CNI source report
Case subjects
Applicant
Outcome: Mr Burke was jailed for a second time last September after the school's board asked the court for orders to commit him to prison over his deliberate failure to comply with a permanent injunction restraining him from attending at the school.; Such behaviour, as well as the flagrant breach of court orders, the judge added, "wont be tolerated." The matter was adjourned to a date in February for a further review.
Places mentioned
- Mountjoy prison
- Wilson's Hospital
- High Court
- Court of Appeal
Topics
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