The Court of Appeal has reserved its judgment in Enoch Burke's challenge to court orders, including an injunction to stay away from Wilson's Hospital School in Multyfarnham. Co Westmeath.
Court President Mr Justice George Birmingham said, however, that the three judges would not delay in delivering their ruling.
Earlier, Mr Burke indicated that he would not comply with the orders while his appeal was before court and the Court of Appeal decided to limit the appeal.
Mr Burke, who is representing himself, accused the court of putting a gun to his head.
The secondary school teacher continues to attend Wilson's Hospital School despite a High Court order against doing so.
However, the court heard that Mr Burke has not attended the school this week as it is on midterm break.
In his appeal, Mr Burke said he could not accept "transgenderism" due to his Christian beliefs after teachers at the school were asked to address a student by "a new name and the 'they' pronoun".
This was indicated in an email from the principal sent in May 2022.
The German and history teacher also confirmed to the court that the student in question did not attend his classes, but argued that all teachers had some level of interaction with all students, either in corridors or acting as a substitute teacher.
Mr Burke was asked by Mr Justice Birmingham about what he was offering by way of accommodation.
He responded that a demand had been "forcefully and clearly made" in the email and that that was his "immediate concern".
Mr Burke said it was important for a teacher "to model the behaviour that you wish students to emulate".
"That would extend to not participating or condoning unlawful requests. That is exactly what happened," he said.
When asked by Ms Justice Maire Whelan how he imagined interacting with the student in question, Mr Burke said: "The question before the court doesn't involve that".
When asked by Mr Justice Birmingham whether his position made it "an impossibility" for the school to welcome a request by the student and their parents, Mr Burke responded: "A school is not entitled to be more welcoming than the law permits".
Mr Burke also argued that the constitution "guarantees" a right to "respect and honour" religion.
"The only thing the State is bound to honour by the constitution is religion," he told the court.
When asked by Mr Justice John Edwards whether there was a more appropriate setting than at a religious service "to make a public spectacle and to confront the principal in the way in which she was confronted", Mr Burke responded that "under no circumstances could it be portrayed as gross misconduct".
Lawyers for Wilson's Hospital School urged the court not to interfere with the orders.
Its Senior Counsel Mark Connaughton said Mr Burke had not engaged with the school in any meaningful way.
He said the teacher was suspended for his behaviour in light of a request to address a transitioning student by a new name and gender-neutral pronouns and not because of his religious beliefs.
He said there was a mechanism for respecting his beliefs but there was give on Mr Burke's part.
Judgement was reserved today.
In acknowledging the great importance of the case to all those involved, Mr Justice Birmingham said the judges would not delay in delivering their ruling.
