Mayo teacher to remain in prison for Christmas

Mayo teacher Enoch Burke is to remain in Mountjoy Prison for Christmas after he again refused to obey a court order to stay away and not try to teach at the secondary school he is employed at, RTÉ News is reporting.

Despite refusing to purge his contempt, Mr. Burke, via a video link from Mountjoy, pleaded with Mr. Justice Conor Dignam today to release him from custody, telling the court that he was "not a thief, a murderer or a drug dealer" and was behind bars because of his religious objections to "transgenderism."

The judge said that he was not prepared to release Mr. Burke, given that the teacher at Wilson's Hospital School in Co Westmeath is not prepared to purge his contempt and comply with what the judge said is "a valid court order."

RTÉ News further reported that the judge's ruling prompted an angry response from Mr. Burke's parents Sean and Martina Burke, who strongly criticised the judge and the judiciary over the jailing of their son.

Sean Burke said the court's refusal to release his son from prison was "unbelievable," adding that son was not a criminal, the national broadcasters outlined.

He said that he had brought his son up to have strong Christian values, and the objections to "transgenderism" are in the bible, "from the book of Genesis to Revelations," Mr. Burke Snr. added.

Mrs. Burke said the judiciary will face judgement from "a higher power" and "God Almighty" in relation to their decisions regarding her son.