Enoch Burke Case: School Seeks €300,000 in Legal Costs
Wilson’s Hospital School in Co Westmeath is seeking to recover an estimated €300,000 in legal costs incurred during the first year of its litigation with jailed teacher Enoch Burke. The costs relate to the period between August 2022 and July 2023.
Ongoing Legal Battle
The legal dispute between the school and Burke, who was dismissed after confronting the school about addressing a student by their preferred pronouns, has now entered its fourth year. In addition to the €300,000 sought for the initial year of litigation, Burke is also liable for €225,000 in fines imposed by the High Court for repeatedly violating orders to stay away from the school grounds.1
Costs Adjudication
Barry Magee, the chief legal costs adjudicator, is currently reviewing the school’s application for costs recovery. He is expected to issue a determination in April. Anthony McMahon, the school’s legal costs accountant, described the adjudication as “unusual,” noting that the school is only seeking to recover “extremely reasonable” costs already covered by its insurer, which were significantly discounted from standard commercial rates.
Complexity of the Case
McMahon emphasized that the case is not about seeking damages, but rather about recovering costs associated with litigation that the school “had to endure.” He highlighted the complexity of the case, which began as a standard employment law injunction but escalated due to Burke’s non-compliance, leading to incarceration, asset sequestration and extensive legal precedent.1
Further Costs Pending
Eight additional bills of costs are currently being drafted. A further hearing is scheduled for February 25th, where High Court judge Brian Cregan will assess additional costs, including those related to a receiver appointed to collect the fines imposed on Burke.1
Burke’s Argument and Current Status
Burke, appearing remotely from Mountjoy Prison, argued that the litigation stemmed from an “illegitimate instruction” regarding the use of pronouns and should not have been initiated. His request for an adjournment pending a Court of Appeal decision on a late appeal was denied.1
Security Funding
Wilson’s Hospital School has also received additional state funding – €4,440 – to help cover security costs due to Burke’s continued presence on school grounds, despite injunctive orders prohibiting him from doing so.3 Burke has been fined €225,000 and imprisoned for 500 days for breaching court orders.3
Recent Incident
Most recently, on January 16, 2026, a judge ordered Burke’s arrest after he appeared at Wilson’s Hospital School, again in violation of the court order.4
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