The High Court has heard that Enoch Burke is still being paid his full salary despite being dismissed from his role as a teacher at Wilson’s Hospital School over a year ago.
Mr Burke returned to court this morning for a review of his ongoing imprisonment for failing to comply with an order to stay away from his former school.
During the short hearing, Mr Burke once again refused to give an undertaking to stay away and was returned to Mountjoy.
Today marks his 172nd consecutive day behind bars.
He previously spent 108 days in prison for the same reason – meaning he has spent nearly 300 days behind bars for refusing to comply with the order.
Enoch Burke leaving Wilson's Hospital School on August 28th 2023. Picture by: Sasko Lazarov/RollingNews.ie
The High Court also heard that Mr Burke is still being paid his full salary by the school over a year after being officially dismissed.
Meanwhile, he has not paid any of the fines he was issued for breaching the court order and remains in prison at the State’s expense.
The judge was also told that he has not paid any of the school’s costs arising from his failed legal battles to date.
High Court hears Enoch Burke
◾️is still being paid his full salary ◾️ hasn’t paid any fines for contempt ◾️ is in prison at the cost of the state
He’s back in court for a review of his detention for failing to comply with order to stay away from his former school.
— Frank Greaney (@FrankGreaney) February 27, 2024
No explanation was given as to why he is still being paid his full salary; however, it was previously reported that his pay was continuing while the High Court considered whether or not to continue an injunction preventing his appeal against his dismissal from going ahead.
Mr Burke was suspended with pay from Wilson’s Hospital School after he refused to recognise a transgender student by their preferred pronouns.
The school told the High Court it took the decision to suspend him after he ‘exploded’ at a staff meeting and disrupted a celebratory mass at the school with students present.
He continued to attend the school while suspended and he was eventually jailed for refusing to obey a High Court order to stay away.
He was formally dismissed in January 2023 after a chaotic disciplinary hearing in which he joined members of his family in repeatedly chanting at the school board.
He intends to appeal that decision internally.
Reporting from Frank Greaney.
