Sir, – Public debate around the imprisonment of Enoch Burke has focused heavily on whether people agree or disagree with his beliefs. That misses a more important civil rights question.
This is not a defence of Mr Burke’s views or actions. It is a concern about process.
He has been deprived of his liberty not through a criminal charge and trial, but through repeated findings of contempt of court. This means no jury, no fixed sentence, and no final resolution.
The same court issues the order, rules on its breach, and imposes imprisonment, which can be renewed indefinitely.
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If the State believes someone’s behaviour is serious enough to justify imprisonment, the proper response is to charge them with a criminal offence and give them their day in court, with all the normal safeguards that apply when liberty is at stake.
Civil liberties matter most when we insist on fair process, even in difficult and unpopular cases. – Yours, etc,
MICHAEL O’DOWD,
Drogheda,
Co Louth.
