Teacher Enoch Burke was dismissed from his teaching position at Wilson’s Hospital School after his refusal to use a new name and the “they” pronoun for a student. The hearing of Enoch Burke’s appeal on the 13th of December 2025 was shambolic and devoid of justice. The Chair of the Disciplinary Appeal Panel, Mr Seán O’Longáin, allowed no proper cross-examination. Little to no questions were asked by members of the appeal panel. The hearing was abruptly terminated while Enoch Burke was attempting to question former Principal Niamh McShane. The parties were told that the hearing was over and the result would be delivered in due course. One member of the Disciplinary Appeal Panel (DAP), Geraldine O’Brien, stated at the outset of the hearing: “If I were instructed by my principal to call a child whatever, I have to implement that instruction, I don’t make the instruction”. Ms O’Brien repeatedly refused to distance herself from the position of her organisation, the ASTI teachers union, which in 2022 stated “…certainly we would advise schools to use the pronoun that a child wishes to be used.” It also came to light during the hearing the DAP had privately sought extra documentation from the Board. In response, the Board had provided a new document, never seen before by Enoch Burke, which provided a new rationale for his purported dismissal. After serious objections from Enoch Burke, orally and in writing, the DAP admitted just last week that no reliance could be placed on this document. Last Friday, in a one-line letter to Mr Burke, the DAP stated that they were going to “reconvene” the hearing. This is merely an attempt to whitewash after grave concerns were raised by Enoch Burke. This Thursday 8th of January, in the High Court, Enoch Burke will seek an injunction halting delivery of the dismissal appeal result. He is entitled to a fair and unbiased hearing of his appeal. A new disciplinary appeal panel must be constituted.
BREAKING: Enoch Burke seeks injunction over “shambolic” dismissal appeal hearing
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Who Watches the Watchers? 