Police investigating alleged assault of Bishop by Enoch Burke

Mr Burke called him a “traitor” on church grounds at St Patrick’s Church of Ireland Cathedral on Thursday after a funeral.

Burke's long standing row with his former employer, a Church of Ireland school, has been ongoing since 2022.

The school was granted an barring order him from attending the school while he was suspended and dismissed, but he continued to attend in breach of the order.

He claims it is still his place of work.

The video shows Burke following the primate on Thursday, from the grounds of the cathedral to the door of See House on the opposite side of the road.

It was posted on the YouTube channel of his brother, Josiah Burke.

The Burkes’ father, Sean, is also seen in the video.

Mr Burke repeatedly berated the Primate, and at one point he said: “You are deceiving the Church of Ireland people. You are a traitor and a deceiver.”

“I have languished in a prison cell for 700 days and you have been silent. Why are you silent?”

The PSNI confirmed they are investigating the incident.

“Police are investigating a report of an assault on a member of the clergy at St Patrick’s Church of Ireland Cathedral in Armagh on Thursday 29th October. Police enquiries are ongoing.”

In a statement, the Church of Ireland confirmed that an “incident” took place in the grounds of the Cathedral involving Mr Burke and Archbishop McDowell.

A spokesperson for the Church of Ireland added : “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.”