Politicians in Belfast refuse to answer questions on Enoch Burke (Josiah Burke) 26-06-24

Politicians in Belfast refuse to answer questions on Enoch Burke (Josiah Burke) 26-06-24
Deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly and other politicians in Belfast refuse to answer questions on Enoch Burke

Enoch Burke has now spent over 400 days in Mountjoy Prison.

Politicians and Church of Ireland clergy were present for the 120th anniversary service at St Anne’s Cathedral in Belfast. Elected representatives included Deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly (DUP), John Finucane MP of Sinn Féin, Matthew O’Toole MLA (SDLP) and Cllr. Áine Groogan (Green Party).

None of these individuals had anything to say about an innocent man incarcerated indefinitely for not bending the knee to transgender ideology.

The silence of these politicians, especially that of the Deputy First Minister, in the face of such egregious injustice is shameful.

At the same time as Ireland has tragically topped the EU table for drug deaths with four times the average number of fatalities, Garda Holly Lane was given a lenient, reduced sentence of three months for stealing cannabis evidence. She was so drunk while on duty in her Garda Station that she was “banging into walls.” There was no media coverage of the recent hearing in the Circuit Court - members of Enoch Burke’s family were present for another matter. The Judge soothingly told Lane “you are not defined by this crime” and “you still have your best to give to society”. This lenient approach to an individual who has committed serious crimes and disgraced An Garda Síochána contrasts sharply with the abuse directed by the judiciary towards Enoch Burke and his family when in court.

In other recent events in Swinford we see the Gardaí working with the coroner Pat O’Connor, collaborating with him to arrest and charge Jemima Burke who had done nothing wrong. Judge Vincent Deane was then ready to do his part in Ballina Court, denying Jemima Burke even the semblance of a fair trial while claiming that he didn’t know where the Coroner’s office was (both men were members of the the Mayo Solicitors Bar Association for years).

Like Pontius Pilate the Judiciary are attempting to wash their hands as they condemn Enoch Burke, an innocent man, to prison and refuse to guard and uphold his constitutional rights. But their hands can never be washed of their guilt in this matter.