Supporters rally as Enoch Burke returns to school
Supporters of Enoch Burke turned up outside Wilson Hospital’s School, as the embattled teacher returned to try and resume his classes.
Yesterday, the Mayo man was released from Mountjoy Prison by Mr Justice Brian Cregan, who said he wanted to give him time to prepare a fresh appeal.
However, Mr Burke indicated he would use the time instead to try and gain entry to the school in County Westmeath, which suspended him from his job in 2022.
Enoch Burke is prevented from entering Wilson’s Hospital School. Picture by: Conor O'Mearain / © RollingNews.ie.
Speaking outside the school, Mr Burke said it was a “disgrace” that he had once again been blocked from entering the school.
“I should be in my classroom this morning, teaching my students in there German and history,” he said.
“That’s what I should be doing.”
Four people had turned up at the school in a show of support for Mr Burke, some offering supportive remarks as he protested in front of the school.
“You’ll have more support than you'll ever know,” one man told him as he spoke in front of the media.
On The Pat Kenny Show, Irish Independent Legal Affairs Editor Shane Phelan described the decision to release Mr Burke as a “bit of a circus”.
“And I'm kind of struggling with the judge's decision yesterday to let Enoch Burke out. Enoch Burke didn't seek to be let out; the judge did this off his own motion,” he said.
“Also, Enoch Burke said that he could prepare the case in his cell - a child could prepare that case.
“The judge thought differently; he said Enoch Burke wasn't legally represented, was hamstrung in that regard and he was releasing him in the interests of justice and in the interests of the administration of justice.”
Enoch Burke leaves Mountjoy on Wednesday. Picture by: Sasko Lazarov/RollingNews.ie.
In court, Mr Burke told Judge Cregan that he intended to return to Wilson’s Hospital School and try to resume his teaching career.
“So, the judge could have walked it back there and then,” Mr Phelan added.
“He could have said, ‘Look, in light of your comments, we'll we'll we'll keep you in jail.’
“And indeed, counsel for the school, Rosemary Mallon, she invited the judge to reconsider in light of what Enoch Burke had said.”
Despite the judge’s decision to release Mr Burke yesterday, Mr Phelan predicted he would have “no hesitation” jailing him once again.
Main image: Enoch Burke. Picture by: Conor O'Mearain/RollingNews.ie
