Enoch Burke Resurfaces Outside School After Court Order

Enoch Burke, the former teacher who has been avoiding arrest, emerged from hiding to speak out against a court ruling outside Wilson’s Hospital School in Westmeath, Ireland. On October 10, 2023, Mr. Justice Brian Cregan ordered Burke’s arrest for breaching a court injunction. Despite multiple visits by law enforcement to his home in Mayo, Burke chose to make his presence known in a video address rather than surrender.

In a three-and-a-half-minute video posted on social media, Burke criticized the court judgment and condemned the involvement of the Catholic Church and Church of Ireland in promoting LGBTQ+ awareness in schools. He stated, “I’m standing outside Wilson’s Hospital School, where I’ve worked for the last seven years. You saw that judgment this week from Judge Cregan, jail again for the fourth time.” Burke expressed his belief that the judgment constituted a “very serious attack” on his character.

Burke has spent a total of 513 days in Mountjoy Prison due to repeated violations of court orders. He acknowledged his potential return to prison, asserting, “Back to jail because I will not succumb to transgender ideology.” His outburst included strong criticisms of schools raising a “Transgender Pride Flag,” likening the situation to the biblical cities of “Sodom and Gomorrah.”

The dispute began in 2022 when staff at Wilson’s Hospital School requested that Burke use a new name and pronouns for a transgender student. Burke refused, citing his religious beliefs, leading to significant tension with the school’s administration. Following his dismissal for gross misconduct in January 2023, Burke continued to attend the school, prompting the administration to hire private security to keep him away from the premises.

Mr. Justice Cregan described Burke as “a baleful and malign presence” and noted that his “aggression, unregulated anger, and lack of self-control” posed a potential danger to students and staff. Despite his defiance, Burke was not arrested during his recent appearance outside the school.

A spokesperson for An Garda Síochána confirmed the existence of a court order related to Burke’s contempt but declined to comment further on ongoing operations. Law enforcement has made several attempts to locate him at his family’s home in Mayo, but they have not disclosed his whereabouts.

Since the court ruling, Burke claims to have received an “outpouring of support from thousands” of people. As tensions remain high regarding issues of gender identity in schools, Burke’s situation continues to attract significant attention and debate in Ireland.