Enoch Burke’s family recently made headlines by gatecrashing the Ireland Funds gala in Washington, DC, aiming to draw attention to his ongoing imprisonment. On the evening of March 13, 2025, Martina, Ammi, and Isaac Burke made their presence known at the luxurious $1,000-a-plate dinner held at the National Building Museum. They approached the table of Taoiseach Micheál Martin and shouted about Enoch’s plight, proclaiming that he had been imprisoned for more than 500 days.
The dramatic interruption did not go unnoticed; however, it was met with immediate action as the family was escorted outside by the Taoiseach’s security team and local law enforcement. The Burkes took the opportunity to hold an impromptu press conference on the street, mistakenly believing they were addressing American media, but they soon realized only Irish reporters were present.
In a video posted on social media outlet X (formerly known as Twitter) on St. Patrick's Day, Martina and Isaac Burke expressed that many attendees at the gala were likely discussing their bold actions. “We’re not one bit apologetic about that protest and that interruption of that event,” said Isaac Burke, asserting their right to speak out against perceived deception by those in leadership. “Because when our leadership are deceiving the Americans, the American people, it's right and it's fitting to shine a light on the truth actually happening in Ireland.”
Martina Burke echoed this sentiment, noting that their removal from the event became the focal point of conversations among gala attendees. “When we were taken out, we were the whole topic of conversation,” she stated. “Whether it was the bathrooms, the dining area, the ball, around the dance floor, the whole topic, it's been confirmed to us, was Enoch Burke. Who is Enoch Burke? What’s really happening in Ireland?”
Interestingly enough, reports from the Irish Mirror indicated that the entertainment continued at the gala after the family was ejected, with dancing resuming but conversations turning towards the Burkes and their motives. It seemed the impact of their actions lingered long after their departure.
According to Isaac Burke, their protest almost coincided with Taoiseach Martin's swift exit from the gala. He remarked, “We went in there [and] almost immediately after we protested, the motorcade was pulled up to the back door, pulled up, I believe, to a kitchen entrance to the back of the building, Micheál Martin, and this isn't reported in the Irish media, he was bundled into the motorcade and driven off immediately.”
As the Burkes later pointed out, this prompted speculation that Martin hastily retreated to avoid further confrontation. The Taoiseach and his delegation remained at the gala only for a short while after the protest before they headed to the annual Stripe after-party, which is hosted by the payment platform founded by Irish brothers John and Patrick Collison.
The Burkes’ protest wasn’t just centered solely around one event; it reflected ongoing concerns regarding Enoch’s situation, marking a critical look at the implications of his incarceration. Enoch Burke, who had been imprisoned for over 500 days, was previously suspended from Wilson Hospital School in Westmeath for refusing to use a student’s they/them pronouns, leading to a legal battle that ended in contempt charges when he failed to comply with a court order mandating he stay away from the school that had suspended him.
In the video recorded outside the Capitol Building, the family planned to increase awareness of Enoch’s situation this way – not just for him, but for broader concerns on how such issues impact Irish society. Mrs. Burke pointed out other politicians who had attended the gala, including Northern Ireland's Deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly, whom she criticized for her lack of substantive contributions. “To me, it’s absolutely pathetic that she would be here representing Northern Ireland and have nothing of substance to say,” Mrs. Burke said.
This incident has sparked considerable media interest, reinforcing a conversation about censorship, freedom of speech, and the implications for Enoch's future. The Burkes' determination to advocate for their son’s plight highlights the ongoing tensions between individuality, societal norms, and political leadership in Ireland.
As this story continues to unfold, it raises vital questions not only about Enoch’s treatment but also about transparency in leadership and how the dynamics of power are perceived both domestically and internationally. The Burkes remain undeterred in their quest for justice, emphasizing their unwavering commitment to bringing Enoch’s story into the public eye.
