The Bank of Ireland has been ordered to transfer €40,000 from Christian teacher Enoch Burke's account to a Courts Service account as part-payment towards the €79,100 in fines he owes for contempt of court.
Burke was suspended from his role at Wilson’s Hospital School in Westmeath after opposing the school's policy on a transgender student, including the use of “they/them” pronouns. He was jailed for over 500 days for breaching court orders and continued attending the school after being suspended and dismissed.
Burke has accrued daily fines of €700, which have now increased to €1,400. He is appealing his dismissal, though the appeal has yet to be heard.
Last week, the High Court appointed a receiver to ensure Burke pays the fines and froze his bank account. On Tuesday, the court considered whether the receiver should also access Burke's other assets.
Burke, refusing to cooperate with authorities, insists he follows God's law over man’s, and his court appearances are often chaotic, with his supporters clashing with the judge. However, the judge focused solely on the receiver’s powers and made the order permanent.
The case will return to court in two weeks for further discussion.
