Teacher Enoch Burke continues protest

Teacher Enoch Burke returned to the gates of Wilson's Hospital School, Multyfarnham this morning to continue his protest against his dismissal from the school's teaching staff.

Mr Burke was jailed for the fourth time last November for contempt of court, and has now spent more than 560 days in prison since September 2022.

Releasing the teacher on Wednesday, Mr Justice Brian Cregan said he was doing so to allow Mr Burke prepare his legal challenge for a Disciplinary Appeals Panel hearing against his dismissal from the school.

Speaking to the Examiner this morning, Mr Burke described the judge's decision to release him on those grounds as “absurd”, adding that he did not need to be released to prepare for the case.

Mr Burke insisted he was at his workplace and said he was not in a position to give an interview as he had started his working day: “This is my workplace. I am a teacher here,” he said at the gate of Wilson's.

“It's absurd that I was let out, only to be returned to prison. I should never have been in prison in the first place.”

In a brief exchange, he put forward his belief that the judges in the Irish judicial system were not interested in justice.

A small group of people who were with Mr Burke in a show of support had started to dissipate by 9.30am. Mr Burke said he will continue his protest at the school.

It is understood that Wilson’s Hospital School has been granted permission by the High court to serve legal papers on Mr Burke seeking his return to prison after the alleged breach of an order not to trespass on the school grounds.