Posted by Updated / Thursday, 15 Jan 2026 11:44
Enoch Burke has arrived outside Wilson’s School in Co Westmeath, where he is trying to gain access to the school grounds.
Mr Burke was released from Mountjoy Prison yesterday following an order from a High Court judge.
He had been in jail since late November for breaches of a court order directing him not to trespass at the school, where he worked as a teacher.
Mr Burke has been prevented from entering the school by private security since his arrival at around 9.20am.
Around half a dozen supporters of Mr Burke also gathered at the gates of the secondary school.
Gardaí attended the scene, but later left.
Speaking at the gates of the secondary school, Mr Burke said his dismissal from the school and time in prison are an “insult to the institutions of the state”.
He added that he had a “duty” to attend his former workplace this morning, adding that Mr Justice Brian Cregan was well aware that he would do so on his release from prison.
“I have a job here. Students in here know me, and they know my personal character
“That’s my vision, that I would be a good teacher to them,” he said.
Speaking to the media outside of the prison yesterday, Mr Burke said that he planned to attend the school today.
Last week, he sought a temporary injunction against a disciplinary appeals body tasked with reviewing his dismissal from the school.
In a hearing yesterday, Mr Justice Brian Cregan said Mr Burke had raised “substantive” and “credible” issues against the Disciplinary Appeals Panel (DAP).
The judge said he was directing that Mr Burke be released from prison for “one reason and one reason only, interest in the administration of justice” and so that he has time to prepare for his case against the DAP.
He said this was on the condition that Mr Burke does not trespass on school property, and if he does, he directed that the school come to the High Court and he will have “no hesitation in bringing him back to prison”.
While discussing various dates for the submission of affidavits, Mr Burke indicated to the court several times that he would attend Wilson’s Hospital School when released.
Who Watches the Watchers? 