Courts / Ireland / Report
Enoch Burke dramatically spurns offer of temporary release, returns to prison
Summary
Enoch Burke, Issac Burke, and Ammi Burke appeared before the High Court regarding Enoch Burke's ongoing imprisonment for failing to comply with an injunction to stay away from Wilson's Hospital School. The judge offered Enoch Burke temporary release during school holidays to reflect on his position, a proposal the school did not object to. However, Enoch Burke refused the offer, alleging the school made false statements regarding security arrangements. The hearing became heated, resulting in Enoch Burke, his brother Issac Burke, and his sister Ammi Burke being removed from the courtroom for interrupting the judge or refusing directions. The judge noted that despite this being Enoch Burke's fourth appearance, the situation had not altered. Counsel for the school stated there was no alternative to Enoch Burke's imprisonment, though they did not object to the judge's proposal for a period of release. The judge adjourned the matter for further review to a date in June. Enoch Burke remains in Mountjoy Prison, having spent over 300 days incarcerated for his failure to comply with the court order. The judge remarked that Enoch Burke was behaving in a way that suggested he wished to remain in prison, despite efforts to provide an alternative.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Enoch Burke dramatically spurns offer of temporary release, returns to prison. Procedural stage: sentence
When:
- December 2022 Hearing Or Sentence
- August 2022 Hearing Or Sentence
- 2024-03-22 Publication
Why: Throughout the process Mr Burke, who has spent almost a year behind bars, has claimed that he has been imprisoned because he was being punished for his religious belief. CNI source report
Case subjects
Applicant
Outcome: There was no alternative to Mr Burke's imprisonment, however counsel said the school did not object to the judge's proposal to release him for a period.; The judge adjourned the matter for further review to a date in June, although the judge noted that after what has been Mr Burke's fourth appearance before him, the situation had not altered.
Applicant
Outcome: There was no alternative to Mr Burke's imprisonment, however counsel said the school did not object to the judge's proposal to release him for a period.; The judge adjourned the matter for further review to a date in June, although the judge noted that after what has been Mr Burke's fourth appearance before him, the situation had not altered.
Applicant
Outcome: There was no alternative to Mr Burke's imprisonment, however counsel said the school did not object to the judge's proposal to release him for a period.; The judge adjourned the matter for further review to a date in June, although the judge noted that after what has been Mr Burke's fourth appearance before him, the situation had not altered.
Places mentioned
- Mountjoy Prison
- Wilson's Hospital
- When prison
- High Court
Topics
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