An Evangelical Christian teacher at the centre of a protracted legal battle over how to address a transgender student has been returned to prison in Ireland for contempt of court.
Repeated Trespassing Leads to Re-Arrest
Enoch Burke was arrested on Monday 19 January 2026 after once again appearing at the gates of Wilson's Hospital School in County Westmeath, from which he was dismissed in 2023. This marks the latest chapter in a long-running dispute that began when Burke refused to address a pupil by their new pronouns, citing his religious beliefs.
Despite being released from Mountjoy Prison in Dublin just days earlier, on Wednesday 14 January, to prepare an appeal against his dismissal, Burke returned to the school premises on Thursday, Friday, and again on Monday. A security guard prevented him from entering the school grounds before his arrest by Irish police, a scene captured in a video posted on his X account.
High Court Finds Burke in Contempt
Appearing before the High Court in Dublin, Burke insisted he had the "utmost respect for court" and was not in contempt. He defended his actions by stating, "I did turn up at my place of work." Mr Justice Brian Cregan dismissed this as "nonsense," reminding Burke, "You have been dismissed, it is not your place of work."
The judge subsequently found Burke in contempt for breaching a court order that banned him from trespassing on the school's private property. Justice Cregan ordered Burke to be "committed immediately" back to Mountjoy Prison.
A Costly Standoff Over Beliefs and Rights
The conflict has proven financially and personally costly for Burke. He claims to have been imprisoned for more than 550 days in total and fined over 225,000 euros. In statements to media, including Sky News, Burke has described prison as "a terrible place" but maintains his religious rights are being breached.
The school's position is that Burke has been jailed solely for repeatedly flouting court orders and trespassing. The caption on Burke's X post framed his detention as a result of "refusing to affirm transgender ideology" being "forced upon children," a viewpoint that has garnered support from some right-wing commentators in Ireland and the US who see his case as evidence of religious oppression.
As it stands, the legal and ideological standoff shows no sign of resolution, with Burke's appeal against his dismissal still pending.
