LONDON -- A teacher in Ireland who says he was fired for his views on gender has been jailed for a third time for refusing to stay away from the school where he used to work.

Enoch Burke was found in contempt of court by a judge on Monday for breaching a court order that prohibited him from being at Wilson’s Hospital School in Mullingar, approximately 80 kilometers west of Dublin.

He was suspended from the school in 2022 after openly criticizing what he referred to as “transgender ideology” and refusing to use a transgender student's preferred name and pronouns. He was subsequently dismissed and has filed an appeal.

He has persistently visited the school, resulting in over 400 days in prison for disobeying court orders. He was released in June from Mountjoy Prison in Dublin and resumed going to the school when the new term started in late August.

The school initiated legal action, arguing that Burke's presence was disruptive to both staff and students.

Irish police, An Garda Síochána, executed a court order in Mullingar, County Westmeath on Monday, September 2, 2024. An individual was apprehended by the police and subsequently presented before the High Court.

Burke, a prominent figure in Ireland, alleges that he is facing suppression due to his Christian beliefs.

Legal proceedings have refuted these claims. An Irish High Court judge stated in September that “it is disrespectful to all law-abiding citizens for someone subject to a court order to disregard it unilaterally.”

Legal professionals have highlighted that Burke could resolve the legal situation by agreeing to comply with the injunction, which he has declined to do.

“Without adherence to court orders, maintaining any form of social order becomes improbable,” Tom O’Malley, a retired law professor at University College Galway, remarked to broadcaster RTE.

“There needs to be a system where individuals are held accountable or encouraged to follow rules. Sadly, besides imprisonment … there isn’t a better alternative available at the moment.”