Enoch Burke and four of his family members were excluded from a court hearing today after refusing to give assurances that they wouldn’t cause any disruptions.
Enoch took part through a live video link from Mountjoy Prison, where he’s being held for refusing to obey a court order to stay away from Wilson's Hospital School in County Westmeath.
Enoch Burke wanted to attend in person today but he refused to give his word that he would obey rulings and not be disruptive, so was therefore excluded.
Instead, he took part remotely from a cubicle in Mountjoy Prison.
Enoch is objecting to GSOC’s request for access to a backup audio recording of what happened after the Court of Appeal rose on the 7th of March last year.
On that date, he, along with his parents, brothers Isaac and Simeon, and sister Ammi were removed by gardai after the judges left due to repeated interruptions.
Enoch claims the use of this so-called ambient recording is an unlawful overt surveillance, which is in breach of privacy and data protection laws.
In order to establish what, if anything, was said after the court rose, GSOC contends it’s incumbent on them to seek out the evidence as they investigate allegations of assault causing harm against members of An Garda Síochána.
The court will deliver its judgement at a later date.
