Irish teacher Enoch Burke has been jailed for the third time for defying a court order prohibiting him from entering Wilson's Hospital School. His refusal to address a transitioning student by their chosen pronouns, based on his religious beliefs, has sparked controversy surrounding religious freedom and LGBTQ+ rights.
Irish teacher Enoch Burke has been sentenced to jail for the third time after defying a High Court injunction that barred him from entering Wilson's Hospital School. Burke, who was dismissed in January 2023 for refusing to address a transitioning student by their new name and pronouns due to his religious beliefs, was arrested outside the school on September 2. During court proceedings, he argued that his imprisonment was an infringement on his religious rights, stating, "You will answer to God for imprisoning me for my religious beliefs."
Burke's legal troubles began in May 2022 when he publicly criticized the school's policies on gender identity, asserting his opposition to what he termed "transgenderism." He has previously served time in prison in both 2022 and 2023 for similar offenses related to his refusal to comply with the school's directives. Despite his dismissal, Burke continues to receive his salary pending an appeal against the school's decision, accumulating around €72,000 during his administrative leave.
Justice Michael Quinn emphasized the necessity of addressing the disruptions caused by Burke's continued presence at the school, noting that his actions were affecting the functioning of the staff and students. Burke's appeal remains on hold as he continues to contest the legality of the school's actions against him. His case has sparked debates around religious freedom and the rights of transgender individuals in educational settings.
