DUBLIN, Ireland: The High Court has granted leave to school teacher Enoch Burke to notify the Disciplinary Appeals Panel of his intention to seek a temporary injunction restraining them from issuing their recommendation in his appeal against his dismissal from Wilson's Hospital School.

His action, for which he was released from prison on January 6 to present to the court, is against the three-member panel consisting of Sean O'Longain, Geraldine O'Brien, and Jack Cleary.

The panel will meet on January 10 to consider further Burke's appeal, which he is attempting to block as it is devoid of "any sense of natural justice and fair procedures."

Assisted by his brother, Isaac, and sister, Ammi, Burke presented his argument to Judge Barry O'Donnell without incident. Several gardaí were present within the court to ensure peace. Previously, members of the Burke family had protested loudly, leading to their removal from the court.

Burke was taken by prison van from Mountjoy Jail, where he is being held for contempt of court. He was later taken back to prison.

Burke is asking the High Court to make several rulings, including ordering that his appeal be heard again by a new panel that does not include the three people he has named as defendants.

He told the court that the Disciplinary Appeals Board was informed on the evening of January 5 about his court application and given the papers, but no one from the board appeared in court.

Judge O'Donnell said the defendants could be given short notice of Burke's request for a temporary injunction. He also ordered that prison authorities bring Burke to court again so he can continue his case.