Irish police are continuing their search for controversial schoolteacher Enoch Burke, who has failed to appear three days after a Dublin court ordered his imprisonment.
A Protracted Legal Battle
Enoch Burke has spent more than 500 days in prison across multiple periods since 2022, following his refusal to stop attending the school that dismissed him. Wilson's Hospital School in County Westmeath terminated Burke's employment for misconduct arising from his refusal to address a transgender student using their preferred pronouns.
The teacher, who comes from an evangelical Christian family in County Mayo, maintains that his imprisonment stems from his religious convictions. This stance has made him a cause célèbre among many far-right commentators. His former employers counter that his incarceration results from repeatedly flouting court orders and trespassing on private property.
Court Condemns "Stalking" Behaviour
On Tuesday, High Court judge Mr Justice Brian Cregan delivered a stern assessment of Burke's actions, describing him as an intruder engaged in "stalking the school" and representing a "potential danger" to both pupils and staff. The judge stated that Burke had carried out a sustained and deliberate attack on the authority of the civil courts and instructed Gardaí to arrest him.
Gardai visited the Burke family home in Castlebar, County Mayo, on at least two occasions last Wednesday but failed to locate the teacher. Two videos documenting these police visits were subsequently posted to Enoch Burke's X account, showing officers inquiring about his whereabouts without success.
Family Defiance and Wider Implications
In one of the videos, Burke's father Sean Burke condemns the Garda presence as "shameful" and declares that "Enoch is entitled to his religious belief". The Garda press office confirmed to Sky News that no arrest had been made, stating they had received a court order relating to contempt of court but would not comment on ongoing operations.
The Burke family's activities have generated headlines in Ireland for years. Sean Burke was previously jailed for two months for assaulting a Garda in a courtroom. Enoch Burke's case has been embraced by right-wing commentators in Ireland and the United States as evidence of religious freedom oppression, with Elon Musk sharing posts containing misleading information about the situation.
Speaking to Sky News during a previous arrest at Wilson's Hospital School, Burke described prison as "a terrible place" that he detested, but maintained that his rights were being breached by the legal action against him.
