Taoiseach Micheál Martin has described as “regrettable” Thursday’s attempt by the family of Enoch Burke to disrupt an Ireland Funds dinner in Washington but downplayed the incident, saying “we live in a democracy”.
Isaac and Ammi Burke, along with their mother Martina, interrupted proceedings at the gala dinner – which raises more than $1 million for charitable causes in Ireland and is one of the marquee events in Washington during St Patrick’s Day celebrations – in protest at the imprisonment of Enoch Burke.
They were quickly removed from the venue by police, with minimum disruption to the proceedings. Outside they first refused to speak with the Irish media, but went on to criticise Mr Martin for “misleading” the American people.
Mr Martin was the keynote speaker at the event.
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Speaking to reporters on Friday morning about the incident, Mr Martin said: “First of all I think it didn’t significantly in any way disrupt the event.
“I think it was regrettable that the incident happened. People have a right to protest in a proper way. That was not a proper way – to attempt to disrupt an event that was to honour people who have been of such service to Ireland in the US and people of the Irish American diaspora who really are not involved in anything to do with this issue.
“It was a night of celebration and recognition for those honourees. That said, I don’t think it had that impact ... but we live in a democracy.”
He rejected suggestions that the Burke family’s arrival at the ticketed event could be regarded as a security breach.
“The security detail and arrangements have been balanced, firm and strong – I’ve witnessed that myself so I couldn’t fault that ... And there has to be balance in all of this. It was a joyous occasion last evening and people were very happy so you can’t stop the free-flow too much.”
The Burkes travelled to Washington earlier this week and protested near the White House on Thursday when Mr Martin was meeting US president Donald Trump. They have declined to explain the purpose of their trip to reporters in Washington in recent days.
Security staff and the Taoiseach’s personal protection team moved quickly when the Burkes attempted to move towards Mr Martin at the conclusion of his speech at the gala event. They were quickly removed through a side door and left outside the venue.
“We live in fear in Ireland,” Martina Burke said outside the venue. “My son has spent over 500 days in Mountjoy Prison simply because he will not affirm a 15-year-old boy in transgender ideology and use the they pronoun.
“Every single child is taught LGBTQ+ bisexual transgender as fact. It’s a sad day for Ireland. We need president Trump to know the truth. But Micheál Martin is deceiving him,” she said.
Enoch Burke has been repeatedly jailed for failing to obey court injunctions not to attend Wilson’s Hospital school, where he was a teacher until he was suspended after a dispute with the school management.
She accused the Irish media of working with the Government and the courts against her son.
She declined to answer further questions, but accused the media of “telling lies”.
