Enoch Burke’s appeal against orders of the High Court, one of which was to stay away from Wilson’s Hospital School in Co Westmeath, got underway this morning.

The judges have decided to limit today's legal challenge because of his refusal to give a commitment not to abide by the court orders while this case is live.

Earlier this week, Enoch Burke was told it shouldn’t be assumed that an appeal would be entertained from someone still in contempt of court.

Despite orders to stay away from the school from which he has since been dismissed, Mr Burke has continued to defy the order.

When asked today if he would abide by the orders until this case was dealt with, Mr Burke refused to give that undertaking.

The judges then decided to proceed but said it would only deal with specific and limited grounds of appeal.

Mr Burke accused the court of putting a gun to his head.

He suggested the President of the Court of Appeal was telling him there would be no guarantee of a judgement being delivered if he didn’t abide by the orders.

Mr Justice George Birmingham replied by saying, “when we hear appeals, we give decisions.”

Mr Burke is now making submissions in relation to decisions made by two High Court judges.