Enoch described the claim as "false, utterly baseless and without foundation".
Enoch Burke leaving the High Court Dublin, 28-03-2023. Image: Leah Farrell/RollingNews.Enoch Burke’s defamation action against the Sunday Independent got underway today.
He claims an article written about him was a story of “pure invention” that subjected him to widespread ridicule.
He's suing over an article, which claimed he was annoying fellow prisoners, that appeared in the newspaper after he was first jailed for contempt of court.
In January 2023 Enoch Burke was dismissed from his teaching role at Wilson’s Hospital School in Westmeath. This was due to his behaviour regarding a transgender student.
He has spent over 300 days in prison for repeatedly breaching a court order to stay away from the school.
In his opening statement this afternoon, Enoch described the claim as "false, utterly baseless and without foundation".
Burke told the judge he got on well with prisoners. He said people gave him cake, biscuits, sweets, and free haircuts.
He described the piece as damaging to his reputation and not reflective of who he is and has urged the court to vindicate his good name.
