Enoch Burke was forcibly detained outside Wilson’s Hospital School in Co. Westmeath yesterday after a heated exchange with Garda officers. The arrest, captured in a video released by his family, shows Burke being pulled towards a Garda van as he expressed his opposition to being forced to use a transitioning student’s new pronouns.
“I have a right to be here, I have a right to work here, and not to tell students they need to take puberty blockers,” Burke said as he was escorted into the van. His arrest followed a contentious legal battle over his refusal to refer to a transitioning pupil by their chosen name and pronouns, citing his religious beliefs.
In addition to the arrest footage, Burke’s father, Sean, shared a video condemning the Garda officers who visited their home to search for his son. He criticized the officers for arresting Burke over his refusal to endorse transgenderism, calling it a disgrace and an alarming reflection of society’s values.
Burke, an Evangelical Christian, had been previously dismissed from his teaching position at the school in January 2023 for gross misconduct after refusing to follow the school’s policy regarding transgender students. Despite being dismissed, Burke was paid a salary while awaiting the outcome of his appeal against the firing.
Yesterday, Burke was once again jailed for contempt of court after refusing to answer whether he intended to return to the school. Justice Michael Quinn stated that Burke’s continued defiance was causing disruptions at the school, and he expressed the urgency of resolving the situation. Burke responded to the court by claiming his religious beliefs were being suppressed.
In his defense, Burke argues that the court’s actions were denying him his rights to freedom of religion. He criticized what he called a “hellish ideology” being imposed on teachers and students, claiming it was harmful to children’s well-being.
Burke also faces fines related to his repeated defiance of court orders, totaling €88,000, but the collection process has proven challenging. Despite his imprisonment, Burke continues to receive his teacher’s salary from the Department of Education, as his dismissal appeal is still pending before the Court of Appeal.
Burke’s case has sparked intense debate over religious freedom, the rights of teachers, and the issue of gender identity in schools.
