Mick Clifford: Where now for the Burkes, who can't help getting in their own way?

Enoch Burke could have challenged his employer properly and possibly made a splash in the courts. But no. Because he and members of his family just can't stop getting in their own way

Enoch Burk (left) and other family members look on as his mother Martina remonstrates with solicitors for Wilson's Hospital School Fiona Shiel and Catherine Kelly, and its principal Frank Milling, at Mullingar Park Hotel on Thursday. Picture: Colin Keegan/Collins

Where now for the Burkes, probably Ireland's best-known family? The sacking of Enoch Burke from his teaching post at Wilson’s Hospital School was inevitable. At 3.30pm on Friday he received the news in person from the chair of the school's board of management John Rogers and the principal Frank Milling.

Mr Rogers is a farmer from Co Westmeath, not to be confused with John Rogers, a former attorney general and public figure of some repute. On Thursday, a huge chunk of the population was introduced to Mr Rogers the farmer through online clips in which his name was the subject of a type of Gregorian chant engaged in by some of the Burkes.