Police probe church incident where Burke family confronted education official
Mervyn Storey, a former MLA for North Antrim – who is now a councillor, was approached by members of the protesting evangelical Christian family outside the Hebron Free Presbyterian Church in Ballymoney.
In a video posted to one of the Burkes' social media accounts on Monday evening, Mr Storey – who is the chairman of the Education Authority in Northern Ireland – goes into the church while being asked questions by Martina Burke and her son Josiah.
Ms Burke said they were in a 'state church implementing government ideology' and refer to Education Authority guidelines on how to support transgender students.
They are seen standing in the atrium of the church in the 17-minute video filmed by a third Burke family member before being ejected from the building.
A PSNI spokeswoman said: 'Police are aware of a video being circulated online and inquiries are being conducted in relation to the matter.'
The Burke family, from Co Mayo, have been known to confront multiple politicians in public places while videoing them.
In March, three members of the family were forcibly removed from a gala dinner in Washington DC attended by Taoiseach Micheál Martin as part of St Patrick's Day celebrations.
While canvassing ahead of November's general election, Fine Gael leader and then-taoiseach Simon Harris was accosted by the Burkes in Castlebar, Co Mayo.
They have also been involved in legal disputes in Ireland arising out of the suspension and subsequent dismissal of Enoch Burke from his job as a teacher. He is in the process of appealing against his dismissal.
The long-running dispute stems from incidents related to a request from the then-principal of the school he worked at to address a student by a new name and the pronoun 'they'.
Mr Storey has been contacted for comment.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Sunday World
17 hours ago
- Sunday World
Man assaulted and held at gunpoint in his home by trio pretending to deliver takeaway
Police said the burglary happened in the Orby Court area in the east of the city after 10.30pm last night A Belfast homeowner has been left 'extremely shaken' after a group of men held him at gunpoint having entered his property after pretending to deliver a takeaway. Police said the burglary happened in the Orby Court area in the east of the city after 10.30pm last night. The PSNI said the man and his wife were at home when the trio called at the house, made their way into the property, pushed the victim to the ground and punched him. PSNI Detective Sergeant Leeman said: 'We received a report just after 10.35pm that three men had forced their way into a property in the Orby Court area after pretending to deliver a takeaway, which the resident had not ordered. 'When the resident opened the door, he was pushed to the ground and punched before one of the men held a suspected firearm to his head and made threats towards him, demanding money. 'When neighbours, hearing the commotion, came out of their homes, the men ran away from the scene empty handed. 'We're thankful that the homeowner wasn't seriously injured, but he and his wife have been left extremely shaken by this ordeal. 'The three men are described as being aged in their late teens. Two were wearing dark coloured tracksuits with the hoods up, while the third was wearing a lighter coloured jacket and a hat. 'We are keen to speak to anyone who may have seen three men matching this description in the area, particularly if they were carrying a pizza box. We would also like to hear from anyone who may have been driving in the area at the time and have relevant dashcam footage. The number to call is 101, quoting reference number 1683 05/08/25.' Stock image News in 90 Seconds - August 6th
Irish Daily Mirror
19 hours ago
- Irish Daily Mirror
Woman found dead beside burning car was 'dearly loved daughter'
A woman whose body was discovered at the scene of a burning car in Co Tyrone has been named locally as Claire McCain. She is described as a "dearly loved daughter" and "precious sister" whose "beautiful smile will never be forgotten" in moving tributes. Police said on Monday that a person who died following a vehicle fire outside Omagh had been confirmed as a woman in her 30s, following a post-mortem examination. Her remains were found after a fire in a silver Mitsubishi Lancer GS2 was extinguished by firefighters in a field just off the Rylagh Road on Saturday. The fire was initially treated as arson, and police said inquiries were underway into "how the person came to be beside the vehicle". In an update on Monday evening, the PSNI said her death is not believed to be suspicious at this stage. Omagh Independent councillor Josephine Deehan, said that the "tragic and horrific situation" had left the local community "really shocked, greatly saddened and indeed disturbed", Belfast Live reports. Councillor Deehan said Rylagh Road as a "very beautiful, tranquil, rural area" which is home to a "close-knit, supportive community". She also commended the emergency services for attending to the "harrowing situation". SDLP West Tyrone MLA Daniel McCrossan said it was a "deeply disturbing incident that has shocked the local community". He added: "My thoughts and prayers are with the family and friends of the person who has so tragically lost their life. It is heart-breaking that someone has died in such harrowing circumstances. People in the area are understandably anxious and looking for answers." Claire McCain is described in a family notice as "dearly loved daughter of William and Patricia and precious sister of Christopher and Simone and auntie to Skye". In tributes published online, one person said: "Claire, your beautiful smile will never be forgotten. May you rest in peace, and may your loved ones find comfort in the memories they shared with you." Another wrote: "Unbelievable sadness at the loss of Claire, such a lovely lady inside and out, my thoughts and prayers are with her family during this difficult time." Her funeral will take place on Thursday, leaving Maguire's Funeral Home at noon for interment in Greenhill Cemetery. Subscribe to our newsletter for the latest news from the Irish Mirror direct to your inbox: Sign up here.
Sunday World
21 hours ago
- Sunday World
‘Beautiful girl' found dead beside burning car at weekend is named locally
Friends of the popular woman, who was from the Omagh area, have been paying tribute online Tributes have been paid to a woman who died tragically in Co Tyrone at the weekend. Claire McCain, who was in her 30s, was found beside a burning car on a country lane near Omagh. Her death is not believed to be suspicious, police said. Ms McCain's remains were discovered in the Rylagh Road area on Saturday. Friends of the popular woman, who was from the Omagh area, have been paying tribute online. One described her as 'such a beautiful girl'. Another said she had 'a beautiful smile' and 'will never be forgotten'. A third said there was 'unbelievable sadness at the loss of Claire, such a lovely lady inside and out'. Claire McCain (inset) died in the incident near Omagh on Saturday. A death notice said Ms McCain, who was from Buchanan Villas in the town, was a 'dearly loved daughter' and a 'precious' sister and auntie. Her funeral will take place tomorrow. It will leave Maguire's Funeral Home at noon tomorrow for interment in Greenhill Cemetery. The notice said her passing was 'very deeply regretted by her loving dad, mother, brother, sister' and wider family circle. Independent councillor Josephine Deehan said the 'tranquil' rural community has been left 'horrified and distressed' following the incident. Earlier this week, the PSNI said: "The person who died following a vehicle fire outside Omagh on Saturday afternoon, 2nd August, has been confirmed as a female in her 30s. 'A post-mortem has concluded and family has been informed. At this stage, her death is not believed to be suspicious.' On Monday, Ms Deehan said: "There is very distressing news from Omagh over the weekend'. She added: "As this tragedy unfolds, our main thoughts are with the family and friends of the woman at this time, in lieu of the horrific circumstances of this woman's death. "They are in our thoughts and prayers. "Our community is deeply shocked, that this has happened in a tranquil rural area.' Claire McCain News in 90 Seconds - August 6th PSNI officers and the Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service were called to the scene shortly after 2pm on Saturday, where they found a silver Mitsubishi Lancer GS2 on fire. In an earlier statement the PSNI said officers were working to find out how the victim came to be next to the burning car. Detective Inspector Keon said: 'As fire officers extinguished the blaze they discovered that, tragically, a person had died as a result of the fire. 'We are treating this fire as arson, and our enquiries as to how the person came to be beside the vehicle are ongoing. 'We would appeal to anyone who may have been in the area between midday and 2.15pm (on Saturday), who may have noticed anything suspicious, to contact us."
