Irish High Court orders Enoch Burke jailed over school trespass

The High Court in Ireland has ordered the immediate arrest and jailing of Enoch Burke after he repeatedly breached a court order banning him from trespassing at Wilson's Hospital School, his former workplace in County Westmeath. Mr Justice Brian Cregan issued the committal order to send Burke to Mountjoy Prison on Thursday. The Irish Examiner, the Irish Times, thejournal.ie and RTÉ all reported the court ruling. [1][2][3][4]

The Irish Examiner, the Irish Times and thejournal.ie reported that the judge also ordered the sequestration, or seizure, of a car used to transport Burke to the school. RTÉ reported that lawyers for Wilson's Hospital School told the court that Burke began trespassing at the school again at the end of August, recording 18 recent breaches. Burke was not present in court during the hearing because he was attending the school premises, according to the Irish Examiner. [1][2][3][4]

Judge Cregan described Burke's actions as a deliberate and flagrant contempt of court, as reported by the Irish Examiner and the Irish Times. Thejournal.ie reported that the judge called Burke's conduct towards the school provocative and confrontational. The Irish Times noted that the judge said the court had to act to protect the children at the school from Burke's behavior. [1][2][3]

Burke is a former teacher whose dispute with Wilson's Hospital School led to his suspension and dismissal. He has been imprisoned multiple times for contempt of court, including arrests in 2022, 2024 and 2025, after defying injunctions barring him from school grounds. Thejournal.ie reported that this ruling marks the sixth time Burke has been ordered to prison. [3][12]