Enoch Burke has been taken back to prison after refusing to purge his contempt.
He has been behind bars for almost a month now, after continuing to show up at his former school in defiance of a court order.
He was officially dismissed from Wilson’s Hospital School in January for gross misconduct.
The decision was taken on foot of his behaviour at the school after being told of a transitioning student’s desire to be referred to by a new name.
Enoch Burke was jailed in September for continuing to show up at Wilson's Hospital School in definace of a court order made by Mr Justice Alex Owens in July.
When the judge tries to explain that to him, Enoch interrupts to say:
"I do understand perfectly well why I'm here."
— Frank Greaney (@FrankGreaney) October 3, 2023
Enoch's parents and his sister, Ammi, have started roaring about unjust laws from the back of the courtroom.
The judge has called for the guards to remove them.
Martina: "Can our son Enoch leave with us?"
Eh, no.
— Frank Greaney (@FrankGreaney) October 3, 2023
Despite a court order against him attending the school while the disciplinary process ran its course, Enoch continued to show up.
As a result, he spent 108 days in prison last year for breach of court order.
On the 8th of September, he was sent back to Mountjoy – again, for refusing to stay away from the school.
And today, he declined the opportunity to purge his contempt, which would have led to his release.
The judge has accepted Enoch's silence as a refusal to purge his contempt so he's back in handcuffs and is being taken back to Mountjoy Prison as we speak.
The case will be reviewed again in December and Enoch was told he can purge his contempt anytime before then.
— Frank Greaney (@FrankGreaney) October 3, 2023
Before the handcuffs were put back on, his parents, Martina and Sean, and sister, Ammi, were all removed from the courtroom by Gardaí.
His case will be reviewed again in December.
