Social MediaMembers of a high-profile evangelical Christian family confronted chairman of the Education Authority Mervyn Storey over gender identity issues at a County Antrim church.
In a video posted on Enoch Burke’s social media, the family accused Mr Storey of “promoting transgender ideology” and “enforcing transgenderism in Northern Ireland” over an EA guidance document.
Enoch Burke, a teacher from County Mayo, has been in a long-running court battle after he refused to use the pronouns preferred by a student transitioning to a different gender.
The EA have said they are not commenting. The BBC has also approached Mr Storey for a response.
In the video, Mr Burke’s mother Martina and his brother Josiah attempted to speak to Mr Storey as he entered the Hebron Free Presbyterian Church in Ballymoney.
Mr Storey did not speak to them, only saying “thank you” and “can you move out of my way?” as he entered the church.
The Burke family referred to an EA guidance document on supporting transgender young people.
The Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) said they are “aware of a video being circulated online and enquiries are being conducted in relation to the matter”.
PA MediaThe Burke family have made appearances at other high profile events, voicing their concerns about gender identity issues.
These include a St Patrick’s Day event involving the taoiseach (Irish PM) earlier this year, an election canvas by the then Taoiseach Simon Harris last year and a Church of Ireland synod in County Armagh also in 2024.
Mr Burke has been repeatedly jailed for defying court orders to stay away from his former workplace, Wilson’s Hospital School in County Westmeath.
He was first suspended from the school in August 2022 after a public confrontation with its principal over how he should address a transgender student.
The school sought a court injunction to keep him out of its grounds during his suspension and he was eventually sacked for gross misconduct.
Mr Burke challenged his suspension and dismissal and continued to turn up to the school, despite facing large daily fines every time he breached the court order.
Members of his family have been involved in several protests inside and outside Irish courts, arguing that he is being persecuted for his religious beliefs.
