A former teacher has been filmed confronting the Church of Ireland primate outside his home in Armagh after he returned from conducting a funeral. Enoch Burke, who was dismissed from Wilson’s Hospital School in County Westmeath, approached Archbishop John McDowell on private church grounds on Saturday.

The Police Service of Northern Ireland has launched an investigation into the incident. Footage shared online shows Burke calling out to the archbishop and making physical contact as McDowell walked toward his residence. The archbishop did not respond and continued inside.

Burke has been involved in a long-running dispute over his refusal to use a student’s preferred pronouns, which he says conflicts with his religious beliefs. He was suspended from the school in May 2022 and later dismissed for gross misconduct. He has spent time in prison for contempt of court after repeatedly returning to the school despite an injunction.

The confrontation with McDowell is the latest in a series of public approaches to figures connected to the case. Burke has previously been filmed challenging the school principal at a public event and other individuals. His family members often record and share these encounters online.

Archbishop McDowell, who is in his 70s, had just led the funeral of a fellow clergyman when he was approached. The Church of Ireland has not commented publicly, but the incident has drawn widespread criticism, including from those who say Burke’s methods undermine his stated religious convictions.

Burke has said his actions are prompted by a need to defend his faith against what he calls state-imposed ideology. He has not commented directly on the Armagh incident.