The mother and sister of the Irish teacher Enoch Burke, Martina and Ammi Burke, have been admitted to prison after being arrested for contempt of court, in a new judicial episode that once again places this family at the center of controversy in Ireland, according to the Irish Mirror.
Both women were transferred to the Dóchas women’s prison center in Dublin, where they remain awaiting a medical evaluation prior to their possible incorporation into the general prison population.
Arrested for Contempt of Court
The arrest occurred after Martina and Ammi Burke were detained last Tuesday when they tried to visit Enoch Burke in Castlerea prison. They had a judicial arrest warrant issued on March 4.
Judge Brian Cregan ordered both to serve two weeks in prison for their behavior during a hearing held in the High Court last month. According to the magistrate, they repeatedly interrupted the proceedings, despite having no right to intervene.
The judge described their attitude as a “paradigmatic case of contempt,” noting that both “knew perfectly well they had no right to speak, but persisted in standing up and shouting in the courtroom in a simultaneous and coordinated manner.”
An Incident That Forced the Suspension of the Hearing
The events date back to February 20, when the judicial session had to be temporarily interrupted due to the continuous interruptions by the two women, who were finally removed from the courtroom by police officers.
In his ruling, the judge emphasized that both Enoch Burke and other members of his family seem to consider themselves above the law. “There is no exception for evangelical Christians, climate activists, animal rights defenders, or anti-abortion activists,” he stated, insisting that the law applies equally to all.
In the case of Ammi Burke, who practices as a lawyer, the magistrate was particularly critical, considering that she knew the courtroom behavior rules perfectly and that her conduct was “deliberate, flagrant, and indefensible.”
Medical Evaluation and Prison Situation
After their admission to Dóchas prison, Martina and Ammi Burke spent their first night in an admission cell, before undergoing a medical evaluation prior to any transfer to the ordinary regime.
The situation at the prison center adds uncertainty to their stay. The women’s prison is currently at 150% of its capacity, which could force them to serve their sentence sleeping on mattresses on the floor.
Overall, the Irish prison system also exceeds its capacity, with around 5,900 inmates and an occupancy rate around 125%, according to the most recent data.