The legal case between Enoch Burke and Wilson’s Hospital School finally made it to the High Court in Dublin last week. Burke had been suspended from the board of management of the school last year after taking exception to a request from the principal that a student be addressed by a different name and pronoun in line with the student’s request. However, Burke was removed from the court for being in contempt of court after making “flimsy” and “stupid” arguments in his defence. Burke did not take up the judge’s offer to return to the court if he behaved, and the case proceeded in his absence. Four witnesses were called to give evidence, including the former principal, Niamh McShane, the current deputy principal, John Galligan, the school guidance counselor Freda Malone, and witness Catherine Gibson Brabazon. The court heard allegations that Burke was “in tears” the day after the request was given and had “erupted” at a staff meeting. Burke had claimed that “to his horror” documents related to the case had been “tampered with”, but the judge had already ruled against him. In his closing comments, the judge said that “you cannot hope to win a game of soccer by running away with the ball”.
