After refusing to use “gender-neutral” pronouns, an Irish teacher has been placed in jail after telling a judge that he would continue his travel to the school despite the court banning him from the premises. Enoch Burke, the teacher in question, was banned (temporarily) on full pay, from the Wilson’s Hospital School after refusing to address a transgender student by “them/they” instead of “he/him.”

Despite his suspension, Enoch Burke showed up to work every day which then led the board to get a restraining order placed on him. When Burke persisted in showing up to work, the school’s board submitted further applications. Judge Miriam O’Regan ordered Burke to be arrested and brought to court. While there, Burke insisted he would show up to the class to teach. He said, “I love my school. I am here today because I would not call a boy a girl. Staying away the school is not something I will do. It is in violation of my conscience.”

Enoch Burke continued on to say that his suspension was “invalid” and that he would’ve had to “commit an act of gross misconduct for it to be justified.”

“It is reprehensible that anyone’s religious beliefs could be taken as a ground for misconduct or gross misconduct. Were I to obey the order of the board of management and the order of the court, I would have to accept that sticking by my belief in males and females is wrong.

It is not something I will do. It is in violation of my conscience. Were I to go into the school and bow to something I know to be manifestly wrong, it would be a shame and a disgrace on my part.”

Enoch Burke said.

Judge Michael Quinn eventually sent Burke to Mountjoy Prison “until he purges his contempt or until further order of this court.” In response, Enoch Burke said, “I cannot purge my contempt by holding my Christian beliefs in contempt.”