Enoch returned to Mountjoy after release but wasn’t allowed say bye to pals

PROTEST teacher Enoch Burke returned to prison after being freed by a judge — as he wanted to say bye to his jail pals.

But officials at Dublin’s Mountjoy wouldn’t allow him in to see them.

Burke was locked up for more than 400 days after refusing to agree not to return to his old school in Co Westmeath.

He held protests outside Wilson Hospital School for months after being suspended over his refusal to refer to a trans pupil by their chosen ‘they’ pronoun.

On Friday, a High Court judge decided to let Burke out.

He then headed back to Mountjoy, where he was held in his own cell in the Progressive Unit. Many fellow lags had supported him in his crusade.

But Enoch was not allowed back up to see them because it is against prison regulations.

A Mountjoy source said: “Enoch came back with his father to get all his stuff and to say goodbye to the lads. But it was not possible to make that happen.

“He was popular among the inmates here and they often went to him for bits of legal advice. They all knew he wasn’t a ­common criminal and that he was in here on a point of principle.

“Many of the prisoners agreed with his stance. They respected him.”

It’s understood Enoch took away his books, loads of legal files plus his own personal gear.

A Mountjoy source added: “We told him we don’t want to see him back next September when schools return.”

Earlier this week, Mr Justice Mark Sanfey directed that the Co Mayo Evangelical Christian be freed from the Dublin jail.

The judge said that following a review of the situation, and the fact state examinations are now completed and the school is on holidays, he was directing the teacher’s release.

No contempt purge

The court did not require Burke to purge his contempt and his agreement to comply with the terms of an order made against him last year.

In that decision Mr Justice Alexander Owens granted Wilson’s Hospital a permanent injunction restraining Burke from attending at the school.

In his ruling Mr Justice Sanfey expressed his hope that the teacher would use the time to reflect on the situation and warned the teacher that the injunction remains in place.

Further breaches warning

If there was any further breaches of the order the judge said he would have “no hesitation” in entertaining a fresh application by the school to have Burke committed back to prison.

After the court made its order Burke left the Four Courts with members of his family.