PSNI investigating 'assault' on Church of Ireland archbishop after Enoch Burke livestreams confrontation

THE PSNI are investigating an alleged assault on the Anglican archbishop of Ireland, John McDowell.

It comes after anti-transgender campaigner Enoch Burke and another man confronted Rev McDowell at St Patrick's Church of Ireland Cathedral in Armagh on Thursday.

Mr Burke demanded to know why the archbishop has remained silent concerning Mr Burke’s well-publicised dispute, which saw him lose his job at the Anglican-run Wilson's Hospital School in the Republic after he refused to use gender-neutral pronouns for a child who said they were transgender.

Mr Burke continued turning up at the school and was subsequently jailed for breaching court orders requiring him to keep away.

Footage of the encounter in Armagh was livestreamed by Mr Burke’s followers, and shows Mr Burke seizing the archbishop by the arm and peppering him with accusations and questions.

The PSNI have now said: “Police are investigating a report of an assault on a member of the clergy at St Patrick's Cathedral in Armagh [on Thursday] afternoon.

"Police enquiries are ongoing.”

The Church of Ireland issued its own statement saying: “Enoch Burke and members of his family approached the archbishop following the funeral service for a rector of the diocese who died suddenly last week, and proceeded to harangue and obstruct the archbishop as he left the cathedral grounds and returned to the See House”.

The statement added: “Enoch Burke has been jailed on a number of occasions in The Republic of Ireland for contempt of court and not for any religious beliefs that he may hold.

“Yesterday, Archbishop McDowell and the family, colleagues and friends of a late rector gathered at St Patrick’s Cathedral Armagh for the funeral service of a dear and much respected pastor.

"It is a matter of deep concern and sadness that the Burke family considered this was an appropriate occasion to confront the Archbishop in a particularly hostile and aggressive manner.

"No respect was shown for the occasion or the sanctity of the cathedral grounds.

"Entry onto the See House property, which is a private residence, is a further concern. Archbishop McDowell, other members of the Church who were present, and the Church’s authorities, will assist with the PSNI’s enquiries.”

The church said it will make no further comment while the investigation is ongoing.

During the confrontation Mr Burke said: “My name is Enoch Burke. You are the primate of all Ireland… and I have languished in a prison cell for 700 days and you have been silent – you have been silent, archbishop!”

He added: “You are the patron of Wilson’s Hospital School… I have languished in a prison cell for upholding the Church of Ireland ethos and for refusing to forsake scriptural truth.

"What do you have to say about that, archbishop?

"What do you have to say about that?

"You’re silent.

"You are silent.

"Your lips are sealed.”

The archbishop, with a suitcase in tow, said softly: “If you keep assaulting me, I will report you to the police.”

As Mr Burke blocked his path on the way to the archbishop’s manor, Rev McDowell said: “Get out of my way.”

Meanwhile, another cleric told whoever was filming the footage that they “are now trespassing on private grounds… I’m going to get the police”.

Mr Burke followed him to the door of the residence, accusing the archbishop of being “a deceiver” and “a traitor”.