Enoch Burke Returns to Westmeath School for Second Time Less Than 48 Hours After Prison Release
Former teacher Enoch Burke has returned to the gates of Wilson’s Hospital School in Co Westmeath for the second time today, less than 48 hours after being released from Mountjoy Prison, in a move that places him once again at risk of re-imprisonment.
Mr Burke appeared outside the school on Friday morning, continuing a protest against his dismissal and directly breaching an existing High Court order prohibiting him from attending the premises. His return follows a similar appearance on Thursday, just one day after his release, despite explicit judicial warnings that any such action would result in immediate consequences.
Release Was Conditional on Compliance
Mr Burke was released from prison on Wednesday by the High Court to allow him time to prepare a legal challenge against the Disciplinary Appeals Panel (DAP), which is reviewing his dismissal from the school. However, the court made clear that his release was conditional on him not attending Wilson’s Hospital School.
Mr Justice Brian Cregan warned Mr Burke in court that the order restraining him from entering the school remained fully in force and that any breach would lead to his immediate return to custody.
Despite that warning, Mr Burke returned to the school grounds on Thursday and again on Friday, marking the second appearance in less than two days and escalating the legal standoff between himself, the school, and the courts.
School Moves to Secure Re-Imprisonment
The board of management of Wilson’s Hospital School has already applied to the High Court seeking Mr Burke’s attachment and committal to prison, following what it says is a clear and repeated breach of court orders. On Thursday, the High Court granted the school permission to serve legal papers on Mr Burke electronically, allowing for expedited proceedings.
Legal representatives for the school told the court that Mr Burke’s continued presence has caused disruption to the school environment and has repeatedly required Garda involvement. While it has been stated that Mr Burke is not responsible for external protests, the court has previously heard that his presence is the catalyst for repeated disturbances.
A Prolonged Legal Conflict
Mr Burke was dismissed from his teaching position following a dispute in 2022 over his refusal to recognise a student’s transgender identity, a matter that has since developed into a prolonged legal conflict involving multiple High Court proceedings.
Since the dispute began, Mr Burke has spent more than 500 days in prison across multiple committal periods for contempt of court, making the case one of the longest-running and most contentious employment and court-order enforcement cases in the State in recent years.
The High Court is expected to revisit the matter imminently, with Mr Burke now facing the likelihood of being returned to custody for a fifth time if the court finds that he has again deliberately breached its orders.
The case continues to raise broader questions around court authority, enforcement of injunctions, employment law, and the balance between personal conviction and legal compliance, while remaining a deeply polarising issue in Irish public discourse.
Aaron Joyce, Newswire, L.T.T Media; Newsdesk; January 16, 2026
Enoch Burke - Wilson’s Hospital School - Image Credit : Headtopic.com