Methodist College apologises to teenager at centre of rugby trip case

By Jonathan McCambridge, PA

One of Northern Ireland’s best known grammar schools has issued a public apology to a teenager who said he was subjected to degrading treatment by other pupils on a rugby trip.

Gabriel McConkey, 19, was awarded more than £50,000 in a civil case last week at Belfast High Court after Methodist College Belfast admitted liability in relation to negligence and failure to supervise in relation to the trip to Portugal in December 2022.

Mr McConkey, who was 17 at the time, alleged that older pupils forced him and others to run naked around the resort they were staying in.

He said they then used the video to coerce him into having his head shaved and that he was forced to witness other boys as they were coerced into performing an act on a sex toy.

In a statement released on Tuesday, Reverend Niall Johnston, chairman of the school’s board of governors at Methodist College, said the school offered its “sincere apologies”.

He 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.”

He added: “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.”