Judge rules out Christmas release for Enoch Burke as contempt battle continues

High Court judge says Enoch Burke will not receive the seasonal releases granted in previous contempt imprisonments

Enoch Burke (centre) leaving the High Court in Dublin with his brother Isaac (left) and father Sean (second right). Picture: Brian Lawless/PA Wire

Jailed teacher Enoch Burke will not be released for Christmas as he has been in the past, a High Court judge has said.

Mr Justice Brian Cregan also said he did not intend to release him for Easter and added that he did not understand why he had been released in the past during his previous four jailings for contempt, none of which have lasted more than 520 days. He said others in prison for contempt had not been treated like this and were let out even though they failed to purge their contempt.