Courts

Father of Enoch Burke accused of assaulting Garda at Four Courts

Sean Burke appears at Dublin District Court accused of assaulting Garda Victoria Fisher on March 7th 2023

Enoch Burke's father Sean outside the Four Courts in Dublin last year. Photograph: Collins Courts

Tom Tuite
Wed Jan 3 2024 - 15:47

The father of jailed teacher Enoch Burke has been accused of assaulting a female garda during an incident at the Four Courts last year.

Sean Burke, of Cloonsunna, Castlebar, Co Mayo, appeared before Judge Catherine Hayden at Dublin District Court on Wednesday.

He is accused of assaulting Garda Victoria Fisher at the Four Courts on March 7th, 2023.

The incident allegedly occurred on the day his son Enoch was involved in a legal dispute before the Court of Appeal (CoA) over transgenderism and his dismissal by Wilson’s Hospital School in Co Westmeath.

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Sean Burke faces a charge under section two of the Non-Fatal Offences Against the Person Act, categorised as a minor crime only dealt with at the District Court level.

However, a conviction can result in a fine and a six-month jail sentence.

Mr Burke, representing himself, indicated he would contest the case. However, he will be asked to plead formally at his next hearing.

A summary of prosecution evidence was handed over to Mr Burke in court before the judge ordered him to return in three weeks.

A later hearing date will be then allocated if he denies the charge.

Enoch Burke, who taught history and German, has spent more than 200 days in Mountjoy Prison after the secondary school teacher defied a High Court order to stay away from his former workplace.

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