The High Court has directed the immediate arrest and imprisonment of Enoch Burke’s mother, Martina Burke, and his sister, Ammi Burke, for contempt of court.
Mr Justice Brian Cregan ruled that each woman must serve two weeks in prison due to their conduct during a hearing last month. He described how they repeatedly disrupted proceedings by shouting and roaring, requiring gardaí to remove them from the courtroom.
The judge stated that it was long past time to end this family circus. He noted that various members of the Burke family appeared impervious to reason, driven by a faith-based ideology, and unwilling to accept the rule of law—yet the rule of law applies to them and every other citizen, regardless of acceptance.
Mr Justice Cregan observed that the courts had shown considerable forbearance toward the Burkes, but the ongoing need for ten gardaí to be present at related hearings was abnormal and unsustainable.
He highlighted Ammi Burke’s lack of apology or remorse for her actions, pointing out that her interruptions prevented Wilson’s Hospital School from having its application properly heard and addressed, which amounted to core interference with the administration of justice.
The judge confirmed that both women were guilty of contempt of court. He made clear they seemed to view themselves as above the law, entitled to exemption from it on the basis of their Christian evangelical beliefs—but no such exemption exists. He emphasized that Ireland is a democracy governed by the rule of law, not a theocracy run by the Burke family.
Mr Justice Cregan added that Ammi Burke, as a solicitor and officer of the court, had entirely disregarded her professional obligations to the court. He described her conduct as disgraceful and indefensible, something he had never seen from a solicitor before.
He announced his intention to refer papers to the Law Society’s disciplinary committee so it could decide whether to launch an inquiry into Ammi Burke’s conduct.
The judge further stated he planned to order that Martina Burke, Ammi Burke, and their brother Isaac Burke must participate in future related hearings remotely and would not be permitted to attend in person. He allowed them three weeks to submit any objections to this proposed order.
When the registrar called Martina and Ammi Burke twice during proceedings, Isaac Burke informed the judge that the women were at work. The judge noted they had been informed the previous week that the matter was scheduled for today, and he issued an order for their attachment by gardaí and immediate committal to prison for two weeks.
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