Irish schoolteacher Enoch Burke was arrested on January 19 outside Wilson’s Hospital School in County Westmeath and immediately recommitted to Mountjoy Prison after the High Court found him in contempt for breaching a longstanding order prohibiting his presence on school grounds.
The arrest followed Burke’s attendance at the school on Thursday and Friday last week, actions deemed a “flagrant breach” of court directives by Mr Justice Brian Cregan. The High Court ordered his immediate return to custody, less than a week after his release from Mountjoy to prepare for an upcoming legal hearing related to his dismissal.
According to details received by The Chenab Times, the developments stem from an ongoing dispute originating in 2022, when Burke was suspended from his teaching position at Wilson’s Hospital School after refusing to use a transgender student’s preferred pronouns. This led to his dismissal for gross misconduct and subsequent court injunctions barring him from the school property. Burke has repeatedly challenged these orders, resulting in multiple periods of imprisonment for contempt, with reports indicating he has spent over 560 days in custody across various intervals in recent years.
The current reimprisonment is specifically tied to violations of the injunction against trespassing, rather than the original pronoun issue. On January 15, the school initiated proceedings seeking his arrest after he appeared at the gates shortly following his release. The High Court ordered his attachment on January 16, directing gardaí to bring him before the court. Despite warnings from the judge during his release hearing that any return to the school would result in swift reincarceration, Burke attended the premises again, prompting the school’s application supported by an affidavit from principal Noel Cunningham detailing disruptions, including the need for additional security and gardaí involvement.
During Monday’s hearing at the Four Courts, barrister Rosemary Mallon for the school outlined the impact on operations, while Burke maintained he held the utmost respect for the courts and denied being in contempt. Mr Justice Cregan rejected these assertions, describing the breaches as deliberate and committing Burke to Mountjoy forthwith. The judge noted Burke’s prior statements indicating intent to return to the school upon release.
The case has drawn significant attention in Ireland, highlighting tensions between individual beliefs, workplace policies on gender identity, and enforcement of court orders. Burke has framed his actions as a matter of conscience and religious conviction, refusing to comply with what he describes as compelled speech. Supporters view his stance as resistance to ideological pressures, while critics argue it disregards legal authority and school safeguarding obligations.
Burke’s legal battles include unsuccessful appeals against the injunctions and his dismissal. The matter continues amid broader debates on freedom of expression, religious rights, and transgender student protections in educational settings. Authorities have emphasized that imprisonment relates solely to contempt of court, underscoring the rule of law over the underlying substantive dispute. The school has maintained security measures to prevent further incidents, and the case is expected to proceed with hearings on Burke’s dismissal appeal in due course.
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Global Affairs Desk at The Chenab Times covers international developments, global diplomacy, and foreign policy issues through fact-based reporting, explainers, and analytical pieces. The desk focuses on major geopolitical events, diplomatic engagements, and international trends, with an emphasis on verified information, multiple perspectives, and contextual understanding of global affairs.
