Last weekend, EA chair and DUP councillor Mervyn Storey was confronted by members of the Christian fundamentalist Co Mayo family as he made his way into the Hebron Free Presbyterian church in Ballymoney.
Members of the family from Co Mayo later posted a video of the encounter on social media, accusing Mr Storey and the EA of “promoting transgender ideology”.
The Burke family have become known across Ireland after their campaign supporting schoolteacher Enoch, who was suspended from his role at Wilson’s Hospital School and later sent to prison after repeatedly turning up to the school in protest at the decision, defying court orders.
Mr Storey asked members of the Burke family to “move out of the way” as he attempted to enter the church building, while the PSNI has said enquiries are being conducted into the incident.
In a statement issued on Friday, the Hebron Free Presbyterian church described the actions of the Burke family as “reprehensible”.
“On Sunday night 3rd August 2025 our congregation in Hebron Free Presbyterian Church, Ballymoney, suffered an unseemly attack by some members of the Burke family from Co. Mayo.
“They entered our church property not to worship but to create havoc, filmed without permission, and engaged in shouting and heckling, harassing those who had gathered to worship God.
“After a blessed day of Christian fellowship and gospel preaching, such behaviour on the part of the Burke’s was totally out of order.
“Their reprehensible conduct caused great annoyance to the entire congregation, especially to young children and some elderly who had to be evacuated through a side door to avoid their confrontational conduct.”
The church also moved to reaffirm its stance on transgenderism and LGBT issues, describing them as “sinful”.
“We are utterly opposed to transgenderism, especially its ideology being promoted in our schools and wider society,” it said.