THIS is the moment members of the Burke family were removed from the Ireland Funds gala dinner in Washington DC last night after barging into the event.
The infamous family were knocked over after they interrupted the event to protest the imprisonment of Enoch Burke for contempt of court.
The event was being attended by Taoiseach Micheal Martin and members of the US Congress, as well as Northern Ireland Secretary Hilary Benn and UK Ambassador Peter Mandelson.
Burke’s mother Martina, his sister Ammi and brother Isaac all entered the National Building Museum in central Washington DC once formal proceedings were ending.
Martin and two members of the House of Representatives had finished speeches once they gained entry.
The family then began shouting in the room about Burke’s imprisonment as an acceptance speech was being given from the Ireland Fund to Dan Quinn, head coach of the Washington Commanders.
They were pictured surrounded by security staff and members of the Department of Homeland Security Police.
As the family were pulled out of the venue by a security guard, Martina and Isaac were each knocked to the floor.
Issac was heard shouting: “Why is Enoch Burke in prison for not accepting transgenderism?”
Issac was then picked up by another security guard and removed from the building, with his mother losing a shoe during the incident.
She and daughter Ammi were then also removed by security.
Once removed, they were were ordered to stay on a footpath close to the building and began speaking to media.
Martina said: “The Irish people live in fear, teachers are afraid to go to schools.
“Every single child is taught LGBTQ+, bisexual, transgender as fact, it’s a sad day. It’s a sad day for Ireland.
“We need President Trump to know the truth but Micheal Martin is fooling them.”
Upon figuring out the media they were addressing were Irish, they stopped and walked away.
EARLIER SHOUTING
This came as the family had earlier staged a protest outside the venue as guests arrived.
They were ordered by security to move outside to the footpath if wanting to continue the protest.
On Wednesday, as Martin was meeting with US President Donald Trump at the White House, four members of the Burke family held a separate protest.
SILENT PROTEST
They staged a silent protest outside the security perimeter of the White House complex.
They held posters saying “St Patrick’s Day – no religious freedom in Ireland” among others.
When approached by Irish media, the Burke family declined to speak to them.
Burke has been placed in prison on various occasions after he was sacked from a school in Westmeath in January 2023.
He has been imprisoned numerous times for failing to obey an injunction granted that ordered him to stay away from Wilson’s Hospital School.
Most recently, the High Court ordered his release from Mountjoy in December last.
He has appealed against the dismissal and is still receiving full pay pending the hearing.
