Enoch Burke, an Irish teacher embroiled in a prolonged legal battle over transgender rights, has been sent back to prison by the High Court in Dublin. Justice Cregan, presiding over the case, condemned Burke and his family for orchestrating a “deliberate, sustained, and concerted attack” on the authority of the civil courts and the rule of law. The judge highlighted Burke’s persistent refusal to comply with a court order barring him from trespassing at Wilson’s Hospital School in County Westmeath, labeling his actions as a “fanatical campaign.”
Burke’s legal troubles began in 2022 when he was suspended from the school for refusing to address a transitioning student by their new name and preferred pronouns. The school subsequently obtained an injunction to prevent Burke from entering the premises, which he has repeatedly violated. Despite accumulating fines totaling €225,000, of which only €40,000 has been paid, Burke has continued to defy the court order.
Justice Cregan emphasized that Burke’s imprisonment and fines were not a result of his views on transgender issues, which he is entitled to hold, but rather his blatant disregard for court directives. The judge expressed concern over the disruption Burke’s actions have caused to the school community, stating that his behavior has created a crisis among students, teachers, and the school’s management board.
In a separate incident in August 2025, members of the Burke family confronted Mervyn Storey, chair of the Education Authority, at a church in County Antrim over gender identity issues. Justice Cregan clarified that the case was not about transgenderism but about Burke’s contempt for court orders. The judge ruled that Burke’s deliberate and persistent defiance warranted imprisonment and indicated that further rulings on related issues would be issued next week.