A top Belfast school has apologised after a student was awarded £50,000 in damages over an “unacceptable” ‘hazing’ incident on a rugby trip.
The family of Gabriel McConkey launched a civil case over events that allegedly occurred during a rugby trip to Portugal in December 2022.
His mother, Sian Mawhinney, criticised what she described as “an absence of any sort of compassion or empathy for Gabe”.
But today, in a statement to the Belfast Telegraph, the school said an apology had been issued before the court case, and reiterated its regret.
Rev Niall Johnston, chair of the Board of Governors, said: “Immediately following the occurrence of the unacceptable behaviour, the principal was in contact with Mr McConkey and his parents and offered an apology on behalf of the school, an apology that I wish to reiterate. This was before any legal proceedings were intimated.
“A review of the school’s procedures commenced immediately. When the legal proceedings were initiated, the matter was placed in the hands of the school’s insurers, who then dealt with the claim on the school’s behalf. The school admitted publicly the allegation that was made against the school, which was one of negligent supervision.
“It would have been inappropriate for the school to comment on this matter during legal proceedings. The school continues to extend its regret over these incidents to Mr McConkey and his family and again offers its sincere apologies in respect of the incidents that occurred on the trip.”
Mr McConkey was allegedly forced to take part in a series of acts by older pupils one evening, including running naked around the resort at which the team were staying, and watching other pupils perform acts on a sex toy while wearing women’s underwear.
Methodist College Belfast
He was also filmed in what the family say were “degrading” videos which left him “traumatised”.
Mr McConkey was described as deeply impacted by the situation and stopped playing rugby at the school in the aftermath of the alleged events.
The now-19-year-old sued the school’s governors for alleged negligence and failure to properly supervise the senior rugby squad.
A settlement was reached last week that saw him receive £52,760 plus legal costs.
At the weekend, a spokesperson for Methodist College said: “A claim for compensation was brought by Mr McConkey and was settled with the school’s insurers.
“The fact that these incidents occurred during downtime following training sessions and during sleeping hours has caused the school to review and improve its supervision procedures.
“Updated supervision procedures have been in place in the two years since these incidents occurred and, to the school’s knowledge, there has been no recurrence of any such incidents.”
Speaking to the BBC, Ms Mawhinney paid tribute to her son’s strength of character and resilience in continuing his education while the case was ongoing.
She said the initial school statement lacked “any sort of compassion or empathy for Gabe”.
“I’m not sure that the school fully understands the seriousness of what has happened, or is willing to admit that they’re in the wrong,” she told the BBC.
“I think they’re a massive institution that does not like to be told what to do and does not like to be challenged.
“This was never about money,” she continued, insisting it was “about trying to get the school to be accountable”.
Ms Mawhinney praised her son’s character.
“I think anybody who says that Gabe wasn’t strong enough doesn’t know Gabe,” she told the BBC.
“He’s one of the strongest people I’ve ever met. He took himself into school every single day of the remaining lower-sixth [year] and his entire upper-sixth year.
“He toughed that out like nobody ever could have expected a child to do.”
In the statement following the settlement of the civil case, Methodist College said that it has updated its supervision procedures for trips.
A PSNI spokesperson said: “Police received a report on January 24, 2023, of videos being circulated amongst members of the school population
“Neighbourhood officers liaised with the school, and appropriate guidance and support was provided. An investigation was conducted following receipt of this report. No further police action was taken.”