The Taoiseach has described it as “regrettable” that the family of Enoch Burke disrupted a charity gala event in Washington DC last night.
Martina, Isaac and Ammi Burke were forcibly removed by security and DC Police after gaining access to the Ireland Funds dinner and attempting to interrupt proceedings.
As they were dragged out, Isaac could be heard shouting, “Enoch Burke is in prison for 513 days for not accepting transgenderism. Why is Enoch Burke in prison? Why is Enoch Burke in prison for not accepting transgenderism?”
He then falsely claimed that, “Micheál Martin has imprisoned Enoch Burke”.
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In fact, Mr Burke has been imprisoned for contempt of court, after he repeatedly turned up at Wilson’s Hospital School in defiance of his lawful suspension.
Outside, Martina Burke repeated the claim.
“Micheál Martin, the Taoiseach of Ireland, has imprisoned my son for 500 plus days for not approving transgender ideology,” she said.
“How dare Micheál Martin sit in there. He is fooling the American people.
“The Irish people live in fear, they live in fear; teachers are afraid in schools.
“Every single child is taught LGBTQ+, bisexual, transgenderism as fact.
“It’s a sad day for Ireand.”
Members of Enoch Burkes family are ejected from the Ireland Funds 33th National Gala dinner at the National Building Museum in Washington DC. Image: PA Images / AlamyWhen asked about the protest, Mr Martin said the Government has been very clear in its support of transgender rights.
He added that the event was not disrupted majorly by the family.
“I think it was regrettable that that incident happened,” he said.
“People have a right to protest in a proper way and that is not a proper way.
“To attempt to maybe disrupt an event that was to honour the people who have been of such service to Ireland in the US and the people of the Irish American diaspora.”
A memorable evening at The Ireland Funds Gala, the capstone of an extraordinary week in America’s capital.
I am filled with optimism for the future.
The partnership between Ireland and the United States is strong and enduring. 🇮🇪🇺🇸 pic.twitter.com/qqQQtNBn0J
— Micheál Martin (@MichealMartinTD) March 14, 2025
Mr Martin also said that he has no concerns about his personal safety.
“The security details and arrangements have been balanced, firm and strong,” he said.
“In terms of our own personal security, people have been very attentive and very focused, to maybe a degree I didn’t expect at the beginning.”
As part of the Programme for Government, Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael promised to, “Ensure a gender healthcare service that is based on clinical evidence, respect, inclusiveness and compassion.”
They also pledged to LGBT conversion practices.
Main image: Split of Micheál Martin and Isaac Burke in Washington. Pictures by: Alamy.com
