A judge has stated that the High Court should once again consider whether Enoch Burke ought to be sent back to prison.
Mr Justice Brian Cregan also noted that he would be examining potential criminal contempt proceedings linked to Mr Burke’s “behaviour” during today’s hearing, reports RTE.
Mr Burke attended court with several family members who repeatedly disrupted the session and were ultimately removed from the courtroom.
The dispute between Mr Burke and the board of management at Wilson’s Hospital School in Co Westmeath has continued for years, arising from a disagreement over a request by the school principal to refer to a student using a new name and pronoun, reports RTE.
Since the matter first reached court three years ago, Mr Burke has already spent over 500 days in prison for contempt of court.
During today’s hearing, Mr Justice Cregan directed both parties to make additional submissions on several matters, including social media footage and information regarding the vehicles Mr Burke used to travel to the school, reports RTE.
The judge informed Mr Burke that he believed the court should consider “afresh” whether imprisonment would be an appropriate course of action.
He said this was based on significant evidence presented by the plaintiff concerning continued trespassing incidents and issues involving security staff, reports RTE.
During the hearing, Mr Burke accused the judge of “directing” the school and claimed it did not need “coaching from the bench”, reports RTE.
“Let’s not cover up the truth,” he added, reports RTE.
At one point, Mr Burke’s brother Isaac accused Mr Justice Cregan “and his colleagues” of telling “lies” since the outset of the proceedings.
He said he the court was making a mockery of his brother, reports RTE.
The judge responded that he would not tolerate the constant interruptions.
Mr Burke’s mother, Martina, shouted that Mr Justice Cregan was “coaching the school” and described the situation as a “farce”, reports RTE.
Following this, she was escorted from the courtroom by gardaí at the judge’s instruction.
Later in the hearing, Enoch Burke told the judge to “take that smirk off your face” before his sister, Ammi, accused him of “directing the other side what to do”, reports RTE.
She was then removed from the court.
Isaac Burke told the judge that he was not “afraid” of him and was also removed, reports RTE.
Enoch Burke remained present in the courtroom after the judge temporarily left the bench.
When proceedings resumed, Mr Justice Cregan warned Mr Burke to stop interrupting the court, after which he instructed gardaí to escort him out, reports RTE.
Earlier in the hearing, the judge remarked that he had spent a considerable amount of time dealing with issues connected to the case and said he was still reflecting on them.
Today’s session lasted just under an hour, and the matter is scheduled to return before the court next Wednesday, reports RTE.
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