by Kitty Holland, The Irish Times
Wilson’s Hospital among 44 schools and centres recognised by LGBTQ+ youth advocacy group Belong To
The school at the centre of a High Court dispute with suspended teacher Enoch Burke is “delighted” to have received an award for its inclusivity of LGBTQ+ students and staff.
Wilson’s Hospital secondary school in Co Westmeath is among 44 schools and Youthreach centres recognised by the youth advocacy organisation Belong To for its efforts and measures to ensure all LGBTQ+ young people feel welcome and included.
The awards were given last weekend.
One of the school’s teachers, evangelical Christian Mr Burke, has been in a legal row with it over what he alleges was his 2022 refusal to comply with a direction to call a then student by a different name and use the pronoun “they”.
He was suspended as a teacher but continued to arrive at the school saying he was “ready for work”. He has since spent more than 500 days in prison, over three separate periods, for contempt of a High Court order to stay away from the school.
Welcoming the award from Belong To, acting principal at Wilson’s Hospital John Galligan said: “Since 2023 we have participated in the LGBTQ+ quality mark, aligning with our core values and as a school of care, community and excellence.
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