PSNI investigates assault allegation after Enoch Burke confronts Church primate

RTÉ News shows Burke following Archbishop John McDowell through the cathedral grounds in Armagh as others intervene.

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RTÉ News Story of October 31, 2026Trari Newsroom

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PSNI investigating alleged incident involving Enoch Burke | #RTENews

Police in Northern Ireland are investigating an allegation of assault following an incident involving Enoch Burke and Church of Ireland Primate Archbishop John McDowell, RTÉ News reports. A PSNI spokesperson confirmed that an investigation is under way after a complaint was made to police.

The mobile-phone footage shows Burke approaching McDowell on a driveway and introducing himself. The archbishop walks away pulling wheeled luggage, while Burke follows closely and repeatedly asks him to respond.

Burke questions McDowell about his imprisonment and identifies him as the patron of Wilson's Hospital School. The school, in County Westmeath, is a Church of Ireland boarding school. Burke presents his imprisonment as a consequence of upholding the church's ethos and challenges the archbishop over his silence.

Other people move between the two men as the group continues through the cathedral gates. RTÉ credits the footage to Burke via X. The church said the episode unfolded in the cathedral grounds; RTÉ also reports that social media footage indicated it continued to the door of the archbishop's residence.