Enoch Burke, an Irish teacher who has become the center of a prolonged dispute over gender identity at Wilson’s Hospital School, has been jailed for the third time.
His arrest took place outside the school that dismissed him after he refused to address a transgender student by their chosen pronouns.
The controversy began in May 2022, when Mr. Burke informed his headteacher that his religious beliefs prevented him from supporting transgenderism. He declined to use a student’s new name and “they” pronouns, which had been requested in an email from the school’s headteacher, Niamh McShane. Burke’s public opposition to this directive eventually led to his dismissal for gross misconduct in January 2023.
Burke was first imprisoned in September 2022, serving 100 days before his release. He was jailed again in September 2023, spending the Christmas season behind bars before being released in June of this year. Despite his dismissal, he has continued to appear at the school, leading to his third arrest on September 2, 2024.
The Evangelical Christian teacher was apprehended outside Wilson’s Hospital School in Co Westmeath and taken to the Four Courts in Dublin. He was subsequently incarcerated at Mountjoy Prison for repeatedly violating a High Court injunction that prohibited him from entering the school’s grounds.
Justice Michael Quinn sentenced Burke to jail for contempt of court after Burke refused to confirm whether he intended to return to the school. In response to the order, Burke stated, “You will answer to God for imprisoning me for my religious beliefs.”
Burke, who is appealing his dismissal, has argued that the court has overlooked the legality of the school’s demand that he use the student’s chosen pronouns. He contends that this requirement contradicts his religious convictions, which hold that gender is binary, as described in the Bible.
Justice Quinn noted that Burke’s continued presence at the school has been disruptive, hindering the day-to-day operations of teachers and staff. Despite his dismissal, Burke has continued to receive his salary, totaling approximately €72,000, pending the outcome of his appeal.
Burke has also accumulated €88,000 in fines for defying the court order by returning to the school. The court heard that these fines have yet to be collected, with legal complexities surrounding the process.
Burke maintains that his actions are guided by his religious beliefs, asserting that he was compelled to support what he described as a “hellish ideology” that could lead to harm for young people. He emphasized that he did not impose his beliefs on others but was instead forced to compromise his principles.
The court was informed that Burke’s appeal remains on hold, pending a decision from the Court of Appeal regarding the composition of the appeal board. Meanwhile, Burke’s case continues to spark debate in Ireland, touching on issues of religious freedom, gender identity, and the role of education.
