The Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) has launched an investigation into an alleged assault following an incident involving Enoch Burke and the Church of Ireland Archbishop of Armagh, John McDowell.
The investigation follows a complaint made to police after Mr Burke attended St Patrick’s Cathedral in Armagh yesterday. Footage circulating on social media appears to show Mr Burke confronting Archbishop McDowell during an exchange at the cathedral.
The Church of Ireland confirmed that the incident took place in the cathedral grounds, although social media footage suggests the confrontation continued towards the entrance of the Archbishop’s residence.
A PSNI spokesperson confirmed: “Police are investigating a report of an assault on a member of the clergy at St Patrick's Cathedral in Armagh.” Police inquiries are continuing.
Mr Burke, who has spent more than 700 days in prison following a dispute with his former employer, Wilson’s Hospital School in County Westmeath, was heard questioning why Archbishop McDowell had remained silent during his legal ordeal.
Mr Burke was dismissed from his teaching position after refusing to comply with a request to use they/them pronouns for a transgender student. He was subsequently jailed for breaching court orders prohibiting him from attending the school.
The Church of Ireland said Mr Burke and members of his family approached the Archbishop following a funeral service he had attended for a colleague.
In a statement, the Church expressed “deep concern and sadness”, saying the confrontation showed no respect for the occasion or the sanctity of the cathedral grounds. It confirmed that Archbishop McDowell and other Church representatives would assist police with their investigation and would make no further comment while inquiries continued.
Mr Burke defended his actions, claiming he confronted the Archbishop because of his silence over what he considers the promotion of anti-Christian ideology in Church of Ireland schools. He called on Archbishop McDowell, who is also patron of Wilson’s Hospital School, to explain the Church’s position.
