Methodist College apologises after rugby trip case

Methodist College Belfast has publicly apologised to a teenager who said he was subjected to "degrading" treatment by other pupils on a rugby trip to Portugal.

He said older pupils forced him and others to run naked around the resort they were staying at and he was also forced to witness other boys as they were coerced into performing an act on a sex toy.

The school said it was "unacceptable behaviour" and has offered its "sincere apologies" to Gabriel McConkey, who was 17 at the time.

Mr McConkey, who is now 19, was awarded more than £50,000 in a civil case last week.

His mother accused the school of inadequate supervision and said it had never said sorry to them.

The school said on Tuesday an apology was issued by the school principal immediately following the rugby trip in December 2022.

The school had previously said disciplinary action was taken, the police were contacted and supervision procedures were improved.

But speaking on BBC Radio Ulster's Talkback programme, the solicitor representing Gabriel and his family, Victoria Haddock, said they were not aware of any apology being given prior to the formal statement on Tuesday.

"It makes me wonder as well, why did we litigate this matter for two years and ask for an apology if the answer was simple - it had already been given", she said.

In a statement to BBC News NI on Tuesday, the chair of the board of governors, the Reverend Niall Johnston, apologised to Mr McConkey and his family.

"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," he said.

"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."

Gabriel's mother, Sian Mawhinney, said while compensation had been agreed it was "never about money".

"This was about trying to get the school to be accountable," she said.

On social media, there has been some criticism of Mr McConkey for complaining about his treatment on the rugby tour, with derogatory comments suggesting he was not tough enough.

"I think anybody who says that Gabe wasn't strong enough doesn't know Gabe" his mother said.

"He's one of the strongest people I've ever met. He took himself into school every single day of the remaining lower sixth and his entire upper sixth year.

"He toughed that out like nobody ever could have expected a child to do."

There has also been some praise for Mr McConkey on social media for taking a stand against extreme behaviour within school rugby.

"We've spoken to a lot of people over the last two years who have children at different rugby schools and I am assured that actually this is not something that continues at all other top rugby schools," Ms Mawhinney said.

"I don't know to what extent that may or may not be true, but I do feel the questions need to be asked. Is this something we just accept because we believe it happens everywhere?

"Or is this something that we actually just say 'no, no more, not on our watch, children should not be subjected to this?'."

Ulster Rugby, which runs an annual Schools' Cup competition, issued a statement after the resolution of the court case.

"What is reported does not align with the values of rugby, or the behaviours we expect from those involved in the game," it said.

"This is an issue for Methodist College Belfast, but we will be engaging with the school to ensure we promote rugby as an inclusive and enjoyable game for all."