Court Directs Enoch Burke’s Salary to School Due to Unpaid Damages

A judge has ordered that the salary of Enoch Burke be paid directly to Wilson’s Hospital School to satisfy a debt of €15,000 in damages. This decision was made during a hearing at the High Court in Dublin, where Mr Burke appeared via video link from Mountjoy Prison. He has been incarcerated since November 18, 2023, following a ruling by Mr Justice Brian Cregan for “repeated and flagrant” breaches of court orders.

The legal conflict between Mr Burke and Wilson’s Hospital School dates back to a request made by the then-principal in 2022. The principal asked that a student be addressed by a new name and pronoun, which Mr Burke opposed, leading to a series of incidents at the school. Despite being dismissed for gross misconduct, Mr Burke continues to receive a teacher’s salary from the Department of Education and Youth, pending an appeal to the Disciplinary Appeals Panel.

In August 2023, the court ruled in favor of the school, awarding them €15,000 for Mr Burke’s trespassing on school property. However, during the latest proceedings, Mr Justice Cregan noted that Mr Burke had “not paid a single euro of this judgment.” He granted a garnishee order, allowing the school to collect the owed amount directly from Mr Burke’s salary, citing the significant debt owed to the institution.

Disruptions marred the hearing, as Mr Burke’s father, Sean Burke, and brother, Dr Isaac Burke, attempted to intervene. They raised concerns about Mr Burke’s inability to appear in person, claiming he had “no advocate” in court. Mr Justice Cregan responded firmly, stating that they had “no right of audience” and requested their removal from the courtroom for previously disrupting proceedings.

As tensions escalated, Dr Burke expressed his dissatisfaction, declaring the situation “absolutely disgraceful” and “unjust.” In response, five uniformed Gardaí entered the courtroom, escorting him out as Mr Burke senior continued to protest, asserting his rights as a member of the public. The judge subsequently adjourned the hearing.

This case highlights ongoing legal and social challenges surrounding issues of identity and personal rights within educational settings. As the legal proceedings continue, the implications of such disputes reflect broader societal debates.