Enoch Burke’s mother accuses judges of ‘prostrating before the altar of transgenderism’ – The Irish Times

“Prostration before the altar of transgenderism,” is how Enoch Burke’s mother described the appeals court judges as chaotic and unprecedented scenes erupted as the verdict dismissing her son’s appeal was read.

Martina Burke, her husband Seán and sons Enoch, Simeon and Isaac were all dragged or pushed out of the court by Gardaí on Tuesday afternoon after refusing repeated requests to leave the building.

Enoch Burke shouted “thug” and clutched the court bench as several gardaí dragged him out. His brother Isaac, who eventually fell under the bar, was the last family member to be dragged out.

Earlier, Ammi Burke was the first family member to stand up and scream when the President of the Court of Appeal, Mr Justice George Birmingham, was about 45 minutes after reading his sentence.

The judge had just agreed with a High Court judge that the case did not involve transgender issues when Ms Burke stood up and cried that was “completely wrong”.

The judge asked her to sit down but kept shouting that the case was about “transgenderism” and claiming her brother’s rights were being violated.

Her mother accused the judges of “prostrating themselves at the altar of transgenderism.”

“You bow to the altar of transgenderism, take off your robes,” Mrs. Burke called out. Other family members also stood up and shouted at the judges.

Mr Justice Birmingham and his colleagues, Mr Justice John Edwards and Mrs Justice Máire Whelan, then rose and left the bench. Some of the Burkes continued to make comments in the packed court, which included a group of transition year students.

When the judges returned, Mr Justice Birmingham warned of further disruptions, saying if that happened the judges would leave and the separate judgments of all three judges, rather than being read out, would be given electronically.

He continued to read his verdict, but within minutes the Burkes were back on their feet and screaming.

The judges then left the bench and did not return. Court clerks and a number of GardaÍ tried to clear the court and asked the Burkes to leave, but all refused.

Ammi Burke fought with GardaÍ as they dragged her from the court and there were angry arguments and fights between the remaining family members and Gardaí as they attempted to get the entire family to leave.

Three or four female Gardaí surrounded Martina Burke and repeatedly told her to leave. When she repeatedly refused, she was pushed out of the court, as was her husband.

About 10-12 Gardaí were in court at one point. Enoch Burke accused the gardaí of being “thugs” and there were shouts from him and his brothers to gardaí saying “leave my father alone, he’s old” and “leave my mother alone” and “take yours.” hands of them”.

Enoch Burke repeatedly said, “We are entitled to our rights” and “our beliefs” and are entitled to have the judges defend their rights.

The Court of Appeals building is located in the courtyard of the Four Courts premises and journalists waited outside until the physical copies of the judgments were made available. All three judges dismissed Mr Burke’s appeal, which aimed to overturn injunctions made by High Court judges last August and September to prevent him from attending Wilson’s Hospital School in Multyfarnham.