Ex-schoolteacher Enoch Burke’s sister Jemima Burke, resident of Cloonsunna, Castlebar, Co Mayo, aged 30, has urged High Court authorities to review the terms of her conviction for a breach of public order. She will have to wait until November to present her case. Ms Burke’s conviction was handed down by Ballina District Court in June, resulting in a €350 penalty. Her conviction related to her conduct during an inquiry into the death of a patient, Patrick Rowland, who drowned post-discharge from Mayo University Hospital in the early part of 2023.
Rowland, a Lahardane, Co Mayo native, allegedly showed signs of pneumonia and sepsis, compounded by sleep deprivation brought on by over 43 hours on a hospital trolley before being moved to a ward. On June 20th, Ms Burke was put under arrest on Market Street, Swinford, Co Mayo following her frantic sprinting and recording of witnesses and legal representatives, including coroner Patrick O’Connor, linked to the inquest.
Her crimes gave rise to two charges under the public order act, said to have occurred at Davitt Place and Market Street on June 20th. Both charges were for creating or inciting threatening, abusive or offensive behaviour in a deliberate attempt to disturb peace or with careless disregard for potential ramifications, pursuant to section 6 of the Public Order Act. Information from the arresting officer led to her fine for the second count, while the first count was taken into account.
Jemima Burke has recently filed a lawsuit in the High Court against the District Court and the DPP for her convicted crimes. She commenced an ex parte action (where only one party is represented) to press for a judicial review, which will take place on November 24th.
Meanwhile, her brother Enoch Burke remains incarcerated for civil contempt of court due to ignoring High Court orders banning him from Wilson’s Hospital School in Co Westmeath.