Courts / Ireland / Report
Enoch Burke remains on full salary, hasn't paid any fines against him, judge notes
Summary
Enoch Burke, a teacher, remains in Mountjoy Prison after refusing to comply with a court order to stay away from Wilson's Hospital School in Co. Westmeath. Judge Mark Sanfey noted that Burke has not paid any of the fines imposed by the High Court last year or the costs orders made against him by the courts in favour of the school. Burke, who claims he is being punished for his religious beliefs and opposition to transgenderism, said he has spent almost a year behind bars because he was being punished for his religious belief, his opposition to transgenderism and his refusal to comply with a direction from the school to address a student by a different pronoun. The judge adjourned the matter to late March to review the "profoundly unsatisfactory situation" and to consider possible alternatives to Burke's ongoing imprisonment, including sequestration of his assets.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Enoch Burke remains on full salary, hasn't paid any fines against him, judge notes. Procedural stage: sentence
When:
- December 2022 Hearing Or Sentence
- August 2022 Hearing Or Sentence
- 2024-02-27 Publication
Why: Mr Burke said he has spent almost a year behind bars because he was being punished for his religious belief, his opposition to transgenderism and his refusal to comply with a direction from the school to address a student by a different pronoun. CNI source report
Case subjects
Applicant
Outcome: The judge said that, when the matter next returns, the court wanted the school's lawyers to make submissions on possible alternatives to Mr Burke's ongoing imprisonment, including the sequestration of the teacher's assets. Mr Burke however, described the action as "a mockery" and had begged the court to deal with what he said were the "lies" that had resulted in his imprisonment and suspension from his job.
Places mentioned
- High Court
- Mountjoy prison
- Wilson's Hospital
Topics
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