Taoiseach heckled by Burke family during Galway canvass

Sean Ryan

Taoiseach Micheál Martin was heckled by members of the Burke family during a canvass in the Galway West constituency on Wednesday.

Martin was in the constituency to canvass for the Fianna Fáil candidate Cillian Keane ahead of Friday's by-election to replace the Dáil seat vacated by President Catherine Connolly.

While canvassing, Martin was approached by Enoch Burke's brother Isaac and mother Martina, who repeatedly heckled the Taoiseach about Enoch's continued incarceration in Castlerea Prison.

During the heated three-minute encounter the Burke family persistently bombarded the Taoiseach with questions demanding answers over Enoch.

Martina Burke asked the Taoiseach if he agreed with transgenderism and if he had anything to say on the imprisonment of Enoch Burke.

She called the Taoiseach a "disgrace" and a "creep" and said he will "destroy other children".

Isaac Burke said to the Taoiseach: "You have nothing to say and you are looking for votes here in Galway this evening".

He added, "Fianna Fáil stand for children can change gender".

While Martin did not comment, he became visibly irate as Isaac Burke blocked his path as he was walking, before eventually leaving the area in a car.

Afterwards, the Burke family continued to have a verbal altercation with Fianna Fáil canvassers.

Enoch Burke, who taught German and History at Wilson’s Hospital Secondary School in Co Westmeath, has been in prison for almost 700 days.