Burke family disrupt gala dinner attended by Micheál Martin

Members of the high-profile Burke family disrupted a gala dinner in Washington DC attended by Taoiseach Micheál Martin.

Three family members were intercepted by security personnel and police as they entered the floor of the Ireland Funds dinner.

They shouted loudly as they were pulled back through curtains surrounding the main dining space during a speech by the head coach of the Washington Commanders NFL team Dan Quinn.

Chaotic scenes ensued as law enforcement officers grappled with them and forcibly removed them from the National Building Museum.

Members of the family have been involved in protests and legal disputes arising out of the suspension of Enoch Burke from his job as a teacher.

Mr Burke was imprisoned for contempt of court for refusing to stay away from the school where he worked.

The dispute stemmed from incidents over a request from the school’s then-principal to address a student by a new name and the pronoun “they”.

Mr Burke argued his suspension was unlawful and went against his right to express his religious beliefs.

Enoch’s mother Martina and two of his siblings – Ammi and Isaac – shouted criticism of Taoiseach Mr Martin as they were taken from the building.

Mr Quinn, who was making a speech after being honoured with an award by the Ireland Funds philanthropic organisation, tried to make light of the disruption, joking that the incident was like being at a game of the Commanders’ divisional rivals the Philadelphia Eagles.

The family entered the gala venue around 15 minutes after Mr Martin had concluded his speech at the event, which is a key fixture in the Irish American calendar in the US capital ahead of St Patrick’s Day.

Earlier in the evening, the same family members stood outside the building, accompanied by Enoch’s father Sean, holding placards highlighting their campaign.

After they were later ejected from the event, the family members continued to articulate criticism of Mr Martin and Tánaiste Simon Harris as they stood on the pavement outside the building surrounded by members of the media that accompanied the Taoiseach to Washington.

“The Irish people live in fear, teachers are afraid to go to schools,” said Martina Burke.

“Every single child is taught LGBTQ+, bisexual, transgender as fact, it’s a sad day. It’s a sad day for Ireland. We need President Trump to know the truth but Micheál Martin is fooling them.”

Mrs Burke repeatedly said she did not want to speak to the Irish media, accusing them of working for the Government and the judiciary.

“The Government and the judiciary are all working together, silencing the people. We are slaves in Ireland. You’re fake journalists – you have no right to be here.” 

Isaac Burke added: “Enoch Burke was in prison for 513 days.” 

At one point, police officers moved the family away from the entrance to the building and asked them to stand further along the pavement.