Enoch Burke’s mother, Martina, confronted and badgered Micheál Martin in Galway this week as he canvassed for Fianna Fáíl’s by-election candidate.

The Taoiseach joined Cillian Keane’s canvassing route ahead of Friday’s Galway-West by-election, when he was interrupted by Martina and another member of the Burke family.

In a video shared on social media, Martina is seen running to catch up with Martin as he walks through a residential neighbourhood.

confidence Taoiseach Micheál Martin
Taoiseach Micheál Martin was interrupted by the Burkes on his canvassing route. Pic: Leah Farrell/RollingNews.ie

She calls him ‘a disgrace’ and shouts: ‘Anything to say about transgenderism?’

Martina was joined by a few others as they berated the Taoiseach in the three-minute video, repeatedly talking about ‘transgenderism’ and Enoch’s imprisonment.

Martina claims in the video that Enoch has been in prison for two years ‘because he won’t promote transgenderism’.

Martina was joined by a few others as they berated the Taoiseach. Pic: RollingNews.ie

Enoch is currently behind bars for contempt of court after repeatedly defying High Court orders to stay away from his former workplace.

In the video, another Burke also asks Martin about Enoch, saying: ‘He has been in prison for 700 days… You’re looking for votes in Galway here. Have you anything to say?’

The Taoiseach smiles but doesn’t respond to the badgering as he walks through the estate, though at one point he asks: ‘Sorry, do you mind? Just a bit of space now.’

Enoch is currently behind bars for contempt of court. Pic: Niall Carson/PA Wire

Later on, as the Burkes cross his path, he adds: ‘Sorry, do you mind out of my way, please? I don’t mind what you say or what you do but you’re not going to impede my progress.’

After Martin and his security got into their cars, the Burkes claimed they were ‘fleeing out of Galway because he wants the promotion of transgender ideology’.

They continued to shout at and berate the remaining canvassers after Martin had left, calling them ‘Fianna Fáil hacks’.

Martina claims in the video that Enoch has been in prison for two years ‘because he won’t promote transgenderism’. Pic: Tom Honan

One of the Burkes yelled: ‘Eamon DeValera must turn in his grave. Shame upon you.’

Enoch Burke was initially suspended from his workplace after incidents arising from a request from the school’s then-principal to address a student by their preferred name and pronoun.

Although he was later dismissed from his position, Enoch violated several court orders instructing him not to trespass at the school.

Despite the incident dating back to 2022, he is still engaged in a legal dispute with the Co Westmeath school, appealing his dismissal.