Jailed teacher Enoch Burke is set to face a Teaching Council inquiry next week over his presence at his former school, Wilson’s Hospital in Westmeath, following his suspension four years ago, the High Court has heard, reports Breaking News.
Judge Brian Cregan made an order for Burke to be produced from Castlerea Prison before the High Court next week to make an application seeking to restrain the Teaching Council inquiry from proceeding on Wednesday, following a video application to the court by his brother Isaac Burke for a production order, reports Breaking News.
Burke has spent almost 700 days in prison since September 2022 for breaching court orders to stay away from the school, and was returned to prison again this month after his dismissal by a disciplinary appeals committee was confirmed and he again refused to undertake not to return to the school.
He maintains he is imprisoned because of his refusal to follow a school direction to use a pupil’s preferred pronoun and name, claiming it breached his religious freedom and right to free expression, though he has been repeatedly told by judges that his imprisonment is solely due to his refusal to comply with court orders, reports Breaking News.
Following a protracted disciplinary process, Burke was finally dismissed earlier this month, with the Department of Education confirming his salary — which had continued to be paid while his appeal remained outstanding and had latterly been used to pay court-imposed fines — was no longer being paid.
In Thursday’s High Court application, Isaac Burke said his brother would also seek leave to challenge the dismissal decision and bring an appeal to the Supreme Court over a Court of Appeal decision refusing to extend time to appeal a 2023 High Court ruling that his suspension was lawful, reports Breaking News.
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