Enoch Burke has challenged his transfer to Castlerea Prison, claiming it “breaches” a previous court order.
He has spent more than 600 days in prison for violating orders instructing him not to trespass at Wilson’s Hospital School, where he formerly taught History and German, reports Breaking News.
Burke has been involved in a long-running dispute with the school’s board of management, stemming from an incident in 2022 when the then-principal asked him to address a student by a new name and pronoun.
His most recent imprisonment was ordered by the High Court on January 19th, reports Breaking News.
He had been released five days earlier to prepare for a case against an appeals body reviewing his dismissal from Wilson’s Hospital School, but appeared back at the school the next day and passed through its gates.
On Wednesday, Burke appeared via video link from the Co Roscommon prison, stating he had been moved on Sunday, reports Breaking News.
He said his transfer from Dublin breached the January 19th order, which stated he was to be held at Mountjoy Prison “until further order of the High Court.”
Before discussing his relocation, Burke and Mr Justice Brian Cregan had a heated exchange regarding the jailing of Burke’s sister and mother for contempt of court earlier that day, reports Breaking News.
Burke told Cregan: “You’ll give an account to God,” and accused him of “mocking God.”
Cregan repeatedly told Burke: “don’t threaten me,” and added: “I did not mock God at all; don’t even try to pretend” that was the case, reports Breaking News.
During the morning hearing, Cregan repeatedly asked for Burke’s microphone to be muted.
When the topic of his relocation arose, Burke said the judge was “Perfectly unconcerned by a breach of court order,” to which Cregan replied: “Of course I’m concerned by the breech of court order,” reports Breaking News.
Rosemary Mallon, barrister for the school’s board, said she was “completely unaware” of the decision to move Burke, adding she only knew what she “has read in newspapers and heard in court.”
On Monday, after the transfer, Burke’s brother Isaac posted on social media platform X that Enoch had been moved “without notice or warning,” adding: “He wasn’t told what was happening, where he was going, or given any reason for this,” reports Breaking News.
Cregan scheduled a further hearing on the matter for March 10th, reports Breaking News.
Tell us your thoughts in the Facebook post and share this with your friends.
