'We held our hands up' over inaccuracies in Enoch Burke article, newspaper editor says

Mr Burke's mother told the court it was 'hurtful' that the paper would paint her son as 'somebody who annoys people so much to the extent they beat you severely'

Alan English (pictured), editor of the Sunday Independent, said there is a “distinction between the public interest and what the public are interested in”, but Enoch Burke “ticked both boxes”. Photo: Collins Courts

An October 2022 article claiming Enoch Burke was moved from one jail cell to another for his own safety as he was “annoying” other prisoners contained inaccuracies for which the newspaper held up its hands, the editor of the Sunday Independent has told the High Court.

Alan English said Mr Burke, who is suing alleging he was defamed in the piece, became a “national talking point” after the court heard of his refusal to stay away from Wilson’s Hospital School in Co Westmeath.