Courts / Ireland / Report

Isaac Burke removed from court as family members excluded from upcoming hearing

Summary

At a High Court hearing, Mr Justice Mark Sanfey excluded several members of Enoch Burke's family, including Isaac Burke, from attending next week's review of Enoch Burke's ongoing refusal to stay away from Wilson's Hospital School in Co Westmeath. The judge ruled that Sean, Martina, Isaac, and Ammi Burke could not attend due to their disruptive behavior, which included shouting and roaring on several occasions in court. The court offered the family members the opportunity to attend if they provided undertakings not to disrupt the proceedings, otherwise they would be allowed to view the hearing via video link. The family members, including Dr Isaac Burke, strongly objected to their exclusion. During the hearing, Dr Burke was physically removed from the courtroom by gardai after he refused to comply with the judge's direction to leave. Enoch Burke, via a video link from Mountjoy Prison, also addressed the court, claiming he had no advance warning of the application to exclude his family members and accused the judge and other members of the judiciary of being 'liars.' Mr Justice Sanfey stated that the court had written to the family members in advance regarding the proposal to exclude them and that their past behavior at previous hearings had been a factor in the decision. The judge emphasized that the court was entitled to take steps to maintain good order and that the constitutional rights of the public to attend court had been considered. The matter is currently at the appeal stage.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Isaac Burke removed from court as family members excluded from upcoming hearing. Procedural stage: appeal

When:

• December 2022 Hearing Or Sentence
• August 2022 Hearing Or Sentence
• 2024-02-23 Publication

Why: At the High Court on Friday, Mr Justice Mark Sanfey ruled that Sean, Martina, Isaac and Ammi Burke could not attend because of the disruptive behaviour, which the judge said involved shouting and roaring, he said they had engaged in on several occasions when before the court. CNI source report

Case subjects

Places mentioned

Topics

Stage Appeal

Read the original CNI report