Courts / Dublin / Report
Enoch Burke released from prison
Summary
The High Court released Enoch Burke from Mountjoy Prison on Friday afternoon, having been detained since September 2023 for contempt of court. Mr Justice Mark Sanfey granted his release despite Mr Burke's refusal to comply with a standing injunction prohibiting him from attending Wilson's Hospital School in County Westmeath. The judge noted that state examinations had concluded and the school was on holiday. Mr Justice Sanfey stressed that the injunction remains enforceable and warned of potential re-imprisonment should further breaches occur. The Co Mayo teacher has spent over 400 days incarcerated. On the same date, the court heard Mr Burke's bid to set aside an order made by Mr Justice Alexander Owens, which Mr Burke claims is unconstitutional. The teacher argues his constitutional rights regarding freedom of conscience and religious practice were disregarded in the original proceedings. The school's counsel disputed the application's jurisdiction and characterised it as an improper appeal. Mr Justice Sanfey reserved judgment on this preliminary matter and indicated a ruling within weeks.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Enoch Burke released from prison. Procedural stage: appeal
When:
- 2024-06-28 Publication
Why: Mr Burke has at all time denied being in contempt of court and says he was wrongfully been imprisoned because of his objections to "trangenderism" following an alleged direction by the school to call a then student by a different pronoun. CNI source report
Case subjects
Defendant
Outcome: Mr Burke was jailed for contempt, for a second time, last September due to his refusal to comply with that order.
Places mentioned
- The High Court
- High Court
- Court of Appeal
Topics
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