Enoch Burke Released From Prison Amid Threats To Return To Westmeath School
Wednesday, 14 January 2026 12:50
Justice Brian Cregan labelled Mr Burke's latest court outburst as "nonsense".
Enoch Burke is being released from prison to enable him to 'adequately prepare' for his legal challenge against the disciplinary panel looking at his dismissal from a Westmeath school.
However Judge Brian Cregan insists the former Wilson's Hospital School teacher will be returned to jail if he breaks a barring order preventing him from attending the school.
Enoch Burke told the judge if he was released he will return to his workplace tomorrow.
To date, he has spent over 550 days behind bars for failing to obey the court order.
Late last year, a Disciplinary Appeals Panel was convened in Athlone to consider whether to uphold the decision to dismiss Enoch Burke from his teaching role.
Mr Burke wasn’t happy with how the hearing was conducted, claiming he wasn’t given a chance to properly cross-examine witnesses.
He has since brought a legal challenge so no further hearings or decisions will be made by the panel until that process has concluded.
If he does show up tomorrow, the judge directed lawyers for the school to come back to court so he can send Mr Burke back to prison.
Justice Cregan responded by saying his ability to shoot himself in the foot was unparalleled in his experience.
Towards the end of the hearing he ordered his microphone to be muted.
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