Martina Burke, mother of jailed school teacher Enoch Burke, attempted to confront Minister for Education Norma Foley at a school in Ballinrobe, County Mayo.
In a video shared on the jailed teacher’s X account which is currently being run by his brother, Mrs. Burke attempts to approach Foley but is blocked by an aide who repeatedly asked if she had “permission to film on a school ground”.
BREAKING: Minister for Education Norma Foley fled from a Ballinrobe school today after refusing to answer questions on the imprisonment of Enoch Burke. The minister’s car reversed into Seán Burke and left at speed. pic.twitter.com/ursjY43meM
— Enoch Burke (@EnochBurke) October 5, 2023
Mrs. Burke accused Foley of having “nothing to say” about her son’s incarceration, telling the aide that he was “on a huge salary” and was “covering” for the minister.
“She must answer questions,” she said, adding “she is accountable,”
Mrs. Burke commented that the school was “20 minutes away” from the home of Enoch Burke adding that the minister had “nothing to say about the incarceration of the finest teacher in this country for his religious beliefs,”
Moving towards the front of the vehicle Foley was travelling in, Mrs. Burke repeated, “Nothing to say Norma,” as the car attempted to move.
She repeatedly said, “Shame upon you” as the car was driven across the school grounds.
Mrs. Burke pursued the car on foot for a time repeating, “Nothing to say Norma” adding, “She’s driving away in her 222 Audi,”
As the vehicle came to a stop to allow the Minister to enter the school building Mrs. Burke pursued Foley repeatedly saying, “Shame on you” and “Shame upon you”.
As the minister disappeared into the building, members of the Burke family holding signs saying, ‘Minister for Transgenderism’ were pushed away from the door by a man inside the building.
They chanted “Minister for Transgenderism” and “Shame on you” as the doors were shut.
Sometime later as one of the minister’s cars attempted to leave the scene members of the Burke family chased it holding signs saying ‘Enoch Burke Mountjoy Prison’, ‘Transgenderism Nothing to say Norma’, and ‘Enoch Burke Mountjoy Prison for Christian Belief’.
As members of An Garda Síochána tried to restrain the Burkes it appears that Mr. Séan Burke fell and came into contact with the rear of the vehicle. He accused the driver of trying to “drive over” him.
Enoch Burke was jailed for a second time on the 8th of September last due to his ongoing refusal to stay away from his former employer, Wilson’s Hospital School.
Last year Burke was jailed for several months for refusing to stay away from the school while on suspension but was released before Christmas without having to purge his contempt.
In Ireland it is lawful to incarcerate an individual for contempt of court indefinitely.