PSNI investigating claim Enoch Burke assaulted archbishop during Armagh confrontation

The Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) is investigating allegations of an assault by Enoch Burke against the Church of Ireland Archbishop of Armagh John McDowell.

Former teacher Burke, who has spent 700 days in jail in the Republic for defying several court orders to stay away from Wilson’s Hospital School, is seen in a video posted by his family apparently grabbing McDowell by the sleeves and blocking his way.

The incident occurred in the grounds of St Patrick’s Cathedral in Armagh town. A video of the incident was posted by the Burke family on social media.

“You are assaulting me,” the archbishop says on several occasions to Burke who is pictured in the video with his father Seán.

Wilson’s Hospital School is under the patronage of the Church of Ireland.

“I have languished in a prison cell for upholding the Church of Ireland ethos and for refusing to forsake scriptural truth. What do you have to say about it?” Enoch Burke tells the archbishop while continuing to hold on to his sleeve.

The archbishop says to Burke: “If you keep assaulting me, I’m going to go the police.”

Burke then appears to obstruct McDowell on several occasions as the archbishop attempts to enter the parochial house in the grounds of the cathedral.

Enoch Burke continues to shout insults at the archbishop even after the door is shut behind him.

In a statement, the Church of Ireland said it “confirms that the PSNI was contacted following an incident that took place in the grounds of St Patrick’s Cathedral Armagh involving the Archbishop of Armagh and Primate of All Ireland, the Most Rev’d John McDowell”.

The PSNI confirmed it was investigating a report of an assault on a member of the clergy.

“Police enquiries are ongoing,” a spokesperson added.

Wilson’s Hospital School suspended and later dismissed Burke over his conduct towards its then-principal, Niamh McShane, at a school religious event in June 2022.

The confrontation arose in circumstances where McShane had earlier directed teachers to address a student by a new name and with the pronouns “they” and “them”.

Burke was formally dismissed from his position at the school in May for gross misconduct. He maintains he was not validly dismissed and continues to seek his reinstatement through the courts.

Burke, an evangelical Christian, has maintained this request went against his religious beliefs.

When he continued to trespass at the school following his suspension, the school sought court orders banning Burke from the premises.

Burke has already spent more than 700 days in prison in different spells for his breaches of the order banning him from the school, made more than three years ago by Judge Alexander Owens. He was most recently released from prison in July.

Earlier this month High Court judge Brian Cregan ordered the sequestration of a car used to transport Enoch Burke to the gates of the Co Westmeath school and to order his immediate arrest and return to Mountjoy Prison if he is seen outside the gates again.

Burke has not returned to Wilson’s Hospital School since that court order was made.