Ongoing Legal Battle Over Religious Beliefs and School Policy
Irish teacher Enoch Burke’s imprisonment continues into Christmas, as a High Court judge ruled last week that he must remain jailed until he acknowledges his contempt of court. Burke has refused to comply with multiple court orders barring him from the grounds of Wilson’s Hospital School, where he taught German history. The conflict began in 2022 when Burke refused to use the “they/them” pronouns for a student, citing his religious belief that gender is binary.
Tensions Rise Between Burke and Judiciary
Burke maintains that his dismissal and subsequent court rulings violate his constitutional and religious rights. Despite his suspension and eventual termination, he has repeatedly attempted to return to the school, prompting the court to issue injunctions against him. For violating these orders, Burke has spent over 500 days in jail and now owes the Irish Courts Service more than €225,000 in contempt-related fines.
Judge Brian Cregan recently accused Burke of being a “baleful and malign presence” on school grounds and a possible threat to students and staff. Cregan rejected Burke’s request to strike those comments from the court record, saying Burke lacked the necessary legal rigor. Burke, representing himself, decried the accusation as “reckless” and unsupported by evidence.
Court of Appeal Acknowledges Religious Objections, But Upholds Punishment
In 2023, Burke’s first appeal failed, with the court claiming no evidence linked his suspension to his beliefs. However, in 2025, a second appellate court acknowledged that Burke’s religious objections were central to his dismissal. Still, it declined to overturn the previous judgment. Burke insists this contradiction proves judicial bias and is now appealing to the Supreme Court for redress.
Public Hearings and Family Disputes Add Fuel to Controversy
The conflict has also included tensions over courtroom transparency. Burke criticized the court for limiting public access when his family was asked to leave during proceedings. Judge Cregan warned that any disruptions from Burke’s relatives could result in their removal and potential contempt proceedings. Legal costs from the most recent hearing were awarded against Burke.
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Teacher Fights for His Job, Held in Jail Through Christmas in Student Pronoun Battle
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