Burke supporters protest 'grave injustice' outside Wilson's

Around 30 supporters of Enoch Burke congregated at the gates of Wilson's Hospital School in Multyfarnham this (Thursday) afternoon.

One man the Westmeath Examiner spoke to travelled from Burke's home county of Mayo. Although he doesn't know the jailed teacher, the man, who asked not be named in the paper, said that he travelled to express his support for his countyman and his family.

"I just feel that it's a grave injustice, that the punishment doesn't fit, if there is a crime. I can't see the crime."

Another protestor, Dr Vincent Carroll from Dublin, said that he supported Burke's stance on transgenderism.

"Enoch Burke got it right, the school got it wrong."

Dr Carroll, who said that he was a Protestant, was also critical of the Church of Ireland's leadership.

"I mean, the school claims it is under the patronage of the Church of Ireland... It must be asked whether or not the Church of Ireland is a fake church, or is a genuine Christian church.

"Is it a church with a Christian skin and a rotten core? Or is it genuinely a Christian church? And I would have nothing but the deepest of respect for people who worship in the pews, but what about the leadership?"