High Court Greenlights Attorney General’s Bid To Recoup Unpaid Fines From Enoch Burke

Friday, 21 February 2025 14:21

By Martin Osborne

He currently owes the State €79,100 in unpaid fines.

The High Court has given the Attorney General permission to apply for a special order, normally used in debt cases, to recoup fines accrued by Enoch Burke.

In his decision, the judge said it was clear that Mr Burke has no intention of abiding by a court order to stay away from Wilson’s Hospital School in Co. Westmeath.

To date, Enoch Burke hasn’t paid a cent of the significant fines he has built it for refusing to obey a court order to stay away from Wilson’s Hospital School.

He currently owes the State €79,100 in unpaid fines.

Over 500 days of imprisonment for contempt hasn’t had the desired effect either.

As a result, Mr J David Nolan said it was time to look at alternative methods of enforcing the court order.

The option of freezing his assets was considered but, in the end, the judge opted for a ‘garnishee order,’ which allows for the collection of monies owed directly from a third party, like an employer or bank.

Mr J Nolan said Enoch Burke seems to regard himself as a “martyr” and thinks he is above the law.

He said this case has preoccupied the nation for far too long, before adding that Mr Burke, and others, seemed to thrive on the publicity.

Before the order is finalised, the judge has given Mr Burke until the end of next week to provide details in relation to all his assets and income.

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