Irish Teacher Enoch Burke Jailed for Third Time After Defying Court Order to Stay Away from School

Irish teacher Enoch Burke has been jailed for the third time for defying a court order prohibiting him from entering the school where he previously worked.

On Monday, a High Court judge found Burke in contempt for breaching an injunction that barred him from Wilson’s Hospital School in Mullingar, approximately 50 miles west of Dublin.

Burke, who was suspended in 2022 for opposing what he termed “transgender ideology” and refusing to use a trans student’s preferred name and pronoun, was subsequently fired. He has continued to challenge the dismissal and is pursuing an appeal.

Despite this, he repeatedly returned to the school, leading to over 400 days in prison for non-compliance with the court order.

The school’s administration argued that Burke’s repeated presence was disruptive for staff and students, prompting legal action. On Monday, a Garda Síochána, Ireland’s national police force, executed the High Court order, resulting in Burke’s detention and appearance.

Burke, who has garnered significant attention in Ireland, maintains that his imprisonment is due to persecution for his Christian beliefs.

However, the courts have rejected this claim, emphasising that Burke’s defiance of the court order undermines the rule of law.

In September, an Irish High Court Judge remarked that Burke’s actions are “an insult to every law-abiding citizen,” highlighting the necessity of adhering to legal mandates.

Legal experts, including Tom O’Malley, a retired law lecturer at University College Galway, have stressed the importance of enforcing court orders to maintain social order. O’Malley noted that absent imprisonment, there appears to be no viable alternative to ensure compliance with such orders.