The High Court has ordered Enoch Burke back to prison after finding that he repeatedly continued to trespass at Wilson’s Hospital School despite a permanent court injunction prohibiting him from entering the premises.
Mr Justice David Cregan held that Burke had been in deliberate and persistent contempt of the High Court order made by Mr Justice Alexander Owens on July 17, 2023. Evidence from the school showed Burke continuing to attend during the new school year from August 21, 2025, including entering school grounds and buildings and, on some occasions, driving vehicles onto the property.
The school had hired security guards specifically to prevent Burke entering. The judgment records that the initial service cost about €760 per week plus VAT, while a replacement provider cost €905.25 per week plus VAT after some guards became unwilling to work there following online abuse.
The court said earlier enforcement measures had failed. Burke had previously been imprisoned for contempt and daily fines had risen from €700 to €1,400 and then €2,000. More than €225,000 was said to be outstanding in fines, while approximately €40,000 had been recovered through a court-appointed receiver.
Burke argued that a July 2025 Court of Appeal decision concerning alleged bias on a disciplinary appeal panel undermined the validity of the Owens order. The High Court rejected that argument, noting that the 2023 order had never been appealed and remained valid and enforceable.
Mr Justice Cregan concluded that further fines and private security had not secured compliance and that imprisonment was now the only effective enforcement option. Burke may seek release by purging his contempt.
The judge also found a prima facie case of contempt in the face of the court arising from conduct during hearings by Burke, his brother Isaac Burke, his mother Martina Burke and his sister Ammi Burke. That separate issue was referred for further consideration; no finding of criminal contempt was made in this judgment.
Other outstanding matters were deferred to a second judgment.