Former Wilson’s Hospital School teacher Enoch Burke has been ordered to remain in Mountjoy Prison indefinitely after refusing to purge his contempt of court, a High Court ruling confirmed this week. The decision marks a shift from prior leniency, denying Burke seasonal releases for Christmas and Easter.
Burke’s incarceration stems from his repeated trespasses at the Co Westmeath school, defying a 2022 injunction barring him from the premises. Dismissed for gross misconduct after challenging the principal’s directive to address a transgender student by their preferred pronouns, Burke insists his stance upholds his religious beliefs against what he terms “transgender ideology.”
Mr Justice Brian Cregan emphasized that Burke’s family has waged a “deliberate, sustained attack” on judicial authority through disruptions and non-compliance. Previous stints totaling over 500 days ended with holiday releases, but the judge now requires a firm undertaking to stay away before any freedom. A review is set for March 3, 2026, though Burke retains liberty to apply sooner.
The case highlights tensions between personal convictions and institutional policies in Ireland’s education sector, with Burke accruing €15,000 in unpaid fines. Supporters view it as free speech suppression; critics decry the disruption to school operations.
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