Enoch Burke says plan to release him from prison during school holidays is 'insulting'

Enoch Burke has described as “insulting” a suggested offer that he be released from prison while Wilson’s Hospital School is closed for the summer holidays.

Burke was once again before the High Court today for the latest review of his detention at Mountjoy Prison, where he is being held for refusing to stay away from the Westmeath school where he once worked.

Burke, who appeared before the High Court on Friday, remains in prison where he has spent the last eight months.

The teacher appeared before Justice Mark Sanfey for a review of the case, and to see if Burke was prepared to purge his contempt and agree to comply with the court order.

Burke denies that he is in contempt of court, and says he has wrongfully been imprisoned because of his objections to "transgenderism" following a direction by the school to call a then student by a different pronoun.

This is Enoch Burke’s second stint behind bars for refusing to obey a court order to stay away from Wilson’s Hospital School.

Teacher Enoch Burke also asked the High Court at a later stage to set aside the order underpinning his on-going incarceration at Mountjoy Prison, as he claimed it is "gravely flawed" and "unsound".

Once again he declined the opportunity to secure his immediate release by refusing to give an undertaking to comply.

The school suggested looking into the possibility of him being released during the summer holidays with a view to reviewing the situation when the school reopens.

Burke, however, described that as “insulting” and instead asked the court to hear an application to set aside the order, which he described as “unsound.”

The judge refused but agreed to sit later this month to hear submissions on whether he even has the jurisdiction to hear such an application.

In the meantime, Burke will remain in prison, unless he decides to purge his contempt.