SW News: Enoch Burke, an Irish educator incarcerated for violating a court order, has been released by the High Court. After a September court hearing, Burke was found guilty of contempt of court for disregarding a court order prohibiting his return to the school where he previously taught.

Burke's disciplinary action at Wilson's Hospital School in County Westmeath culminated in legal action. Mr. Burke raised his opposition to the public usage of a transgender student's new name and the "they" pronoun in the context of their gender transition during a June meeting with the school's principal. This raised the hackles of the school authorities and they placed him under suspension.

The authorities then took the matter to court after Burke continued to work at the school during regular hours while the issue was being decided. The restriction on the teacher was put in place by the High Court. But when it was violated by Burke, the court sentenced him to imprisonment at Mountjoy Prison in Dublin.

The High Court, however, had scheduled a hearing for Wednesday, December 21, to determine if Burke may be released for the Christmas holiday when the school is closed. But, he informed Justice Brian O'Moore that he was unable to participate since doing so would imply that he was legitimately incarcerated.

Justice O'Moore concluded, however, that Burke could be released permanently, not only for the holidays. If he violated the injunction once again, he would face penalties and imprisonment.

The court emphasized that this was not an unusual occurrence and provided examples of previous cases in which disrespectful individuals were discharged without being penalized.