High Court orders arrest of suspended teacher Enoch Burke who allegedly breached injunction

LAST UPDATE | 2 Sep 2022

THE APPLICATION TO arrest a teacher to answer his alleged failure to comply with a temporary injunction has been adjourned until Monday.

Ms Justice Miriam O’Regan initially said it was a matter for the gardaí as to when it would be possible to arrest Enoch Burke and bring him before the court but this afternoon the court was told the order had not yet been finalised.

This morning Ms Justice O’Regan granted Wilson’s Hospital School an order allowing the gardaí to detain teacher Enoch Burke and bring him before the court to answer his alleged contempt.

The court made the order after being told that, in breach of both the terms of his paid suspension and the temporary injunction, Burke was currently “sitting in an empty classroom” in the Co Westmeath-based school.

Burke allegedly publicly voiced his alleged opposition to a request by the school’s principal to address a student, who wishes to transition, by a different name and by using the pronoun “they” rather than he or she.

The school after obtaining the interim injunction earlier this week, brought a motion seeking Burke’s attachment and possible committal to prison before the High Court yesterday.

When the matter was called on before Ms Justice O’Regan this morning Burke was not present nor legally represented in court.

The school board, represented by barrister Rosemary Mallon, claims that despite being served with and being made aware of the making of interim injunction Burke continues to attend at the school.

Counsel said her client remains very concerned about that the defendant’s refusal to abide by the injunction and the terms of his suspension.

It claims his actions may be disruptive to the school’s students at the beginning of the new academic year.

Counsel said Burke had also been made aware of the motion that could result in his incarceration and that despite this Burke remains “knowingly and purposely in breach of the court’s order.”

Counsel said that Burke believes that his suspension is “unlawful” and when approached by senior staff at the school his reply has been that he “is here to work”.

Counsel said that the school’s sole objective from bringing the proceedings is to prevent any further disruption to students at the school.

Counsel said the school had not taken this action lightly and had come to court as a “last resort”.

Given Burke’s continued actions, it has been left with “no choice” other than to bring the motion seeking his attachment and possible committal to prison.

Gardaí

Ms Justice O’Regan granted the motion, and directed that An Garda Síochana be made aware of the making of the order for Burke’s attachment.

The judge initially said it was a matter for the gardaí as to when it would be possible to arrest Burke and bring him before the court.

However, when the matter was briefly mentioned before the High Court after lunch the court was told that while the gardaí had been contacted about the matter, the order had not yet been perfected.

Counsel said while a lot of work was being done, until that process has been completed the gardaí were not in a position to detain Burke.

Burke had been made aware of the court’s decision to grant the order for his arrest, counsel added.

In light of that information the Judge agreed with counsel that the case should be adjourned to Monday’s vacation sitting of the High Court.

Burke will now have to answer the school board’s claim that he is in contempt of the court’s order. If he continues to fail to comply with the order, he faces the prospect of being jailed at Mountjoy Prison.

Burke was placed on paid administrative leave pending the outcome of a disciplinary process commenced by the school, where he has been employed for several years in Mid-August.

On Tuesday, the school Board of Management secured a temporary, ex-parte, High Court order against Burke preventing him from attending or teaching any classes at the school.

The order was obtained because the board claims that Burke was not abiding by the terms of his suspension, which it is alleged he believes is unlawful, by attending at the school.

The court also heard that a substitute teacher has been hired to teach his classes while he remains suspended.

The temporary injunction is to remain in place until the matter returned before the High Court next week.

The school, located in Multyfarnham Co Westmeath is the Church of Ireland’s Diocesan School for Meath and Kildare, claims that Burke, originally from Co Mayo, has not been sanctioned and no finding has been made against him by the school.

Suspension

The school claims that despite its decision to suspend him, made at what counsel said was “a difficult meeting he attended with his sister Ammi earlier this month, he has continued to attend at the school’s campus.

The school says he will continue to do in accordance with the teaching timetable assigned to him prior to his suspension.

Burke, the court heard, has described his suspension as being unreasonable, unjust and unlawful.

The disciplinary process arose after the teacher objected to a request by the school, based on a request from a student and their parents, earlier this year to address a student, who wishes to transition, by a different name and to use the pronoun ‘they’ going forward.

Burke, it is claimed, objected to this, questioned the school’s position and alleged that a belief system is being forced on students.

He also claims that the school’s request amounts to a breach of constitutional rights, the High Court heard.

In correspondence to Burke the school denied that anyone is being ‘forced’ to do anything.

The school said that it is focusing on the needs and welfare of its students and is affirming its policy in accordance with the 2000 Equal Status Act of not discriminating against any student.

It says it has acknowledged Burke’s religious beliefs but expects him to communicate with the student in accordance with the students and their parent’s wishes.

The school claims that last June a service and dinner was held to mark its 260th anniversary. It was attended by clergy, staff, past and present pupils, parents, and board members.

It is claimed that Burke interrupted the service and said that the school’s principal, Ms Niamh McShane, should withdraw the earlier demand regarding the transitioning of the student.

It is also claimed that he said that he could not agree with transgenderism, and said it went against the school’s ethos and the teaching of the Church of Ireland.

The school claims that after he spoke members of the congregation and students walked out of the school chapel where the service was being conducted.

It is claimed that at the follow-up dinner Burke did not sit at any table.

After the meal he is alleged to have approached the Principal, and again asked her to withdraw the request regarding the student.

The school claims that she said she would speak to Burke at a appropriate time and place, and walked away from him.

It is claimed that he continued to follow her and questioned her loudly.

Other people stood between them to prevent the continuation of his questioning; it is further claimed.

Arising out of Burke’s alleged conduct a disciplinary process was commenced, and considered by the board, resulting in a decision to place him on administrative leave pending the outcome of the process.

The next stage of the disciplinary process is due to take place in mid-September.