Courts / Ireland / Report

Enoch Burke alleges 'bias' in refusal to reinstate his teaching job

Summary

Teacher Enoch Burke has launched a High Court challenge against the decision to refuse reinstating his employment at Wilson's Hospital School. Burke alleges bias and breach of fair procedure in the decision. He is challenging the decision of the Disciplinary Appeal Panel (DAP) and the procedures underpinning his dismissal. Burke, an evangelical Christian, was suspended and later dismissed over his conduct towards the then-principal regarding a request to use a student's new name and pronouns. He has spent over 700 days in prison for contempt of court orders barring him from the school and has accumulated significant fines. Burke argues that the DAP chair, Claire Callanan, should have recused herself due to her connection with the Church of Ireland, of which the school is a part. He also claims that as a lay litigant, he was at a disadvantage during his appeal. The court granted permission for judicial review and adjourned the matter to October.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Enoch Burke alleges 'bias' in refusal to reinstate his teaching job. Procedural stage: hearing_or_decision

When:

• June 2022 Other
• May 2026 Hearing Or Sentence
• 2026-07-28 Publication

Why: He further states that Ms Callanan, the DAP chair, should have recused herself from the DAP because she and her husband, Lyndon McCann SC, hold positions within the Church of Ireland. CNI source report

Places mentioned

Topics

Stage Hearing Or Decision

Read the original CNI report