Northern Ireland

Methody apologises to teenager at centre of rugby trip ‘initiations’ case

Gabriel McConkey (19) was awarded more than £50,000 in a civil case last week at Belfast High Court.

Press Eye Photography Wednesday 22nd January 2025 Photo by Press Eye Former Methodist College pupil Gabriel McConkey sued the school;'s governors over alleged hazing incidents on a rugby tour in Portugal. L-R: Family solicitor Victoria Haddock of Phoenix Law; Rory McConkey (his sister); Gabriel McConkey; Sian Mawhinney (his mother); Michael McConkey (his father). Can you issue the photo please? I've included my copy below. From Alan Erwin, Laganside Media - 07971 611459. Catch rugby hazing. 22/1/25 A former pupil at one of Northern Ireland’s top grammar schools allegedly forced to strip naked and have his head shaved as part of “hazing” initiations on an overseas rugby tour is to receive more than £50,000 in damages, the High Court heard today. The settlement was announced in Gabriel McConkey’s action over claims he also witnessed other boys from Methodist College Belfast perform acts on a sex toy at their base in Portugal. Mr McConkey, 19, sued the school’s governors for alleged negligence and failure to properly supervise the senior rugby squad on the trip in December 2022. In court today, it was announced that he is to be paid £52,760 plus legal costs. Mr McConkey’s family and solicitor declared the outcome a vindication in taking the case. His mother, Sian Mawhinney, said: “The child that we sent on a school trip is not the child that returned home to us, either physically or mentally. “He looked absolutely broken by what happened and what he witnessed.” Mr McConkey, from the Carryduff on the outskirts of Belfast, was aged 17 and in Lower Sixth Form at Methody when selected to travel to a sports resort on the Algarve for warm weather training. He alleged that older pupils subjected him and some of the other younger members of the squad to a series of so-called hazing incidents. According to the statement of claim, he was coerced into having his head shaved as part of humiliating rituals. Mr McConkey was also forced to strip off, run along a stretch of path and jump into a swimming pool in a “naked mile” ritual, it was alleged. His lawyers contended that a further incident involved being made to witness other pupils perform acts on a sex toy while wearing women’s underwear. Proceedings were issued against the school’s board of governors for alleged failures to prevent the hazing episodes and to properly supervise pupils on the rugby tour. The action was listed for a three day trial, but Mr Justice Fowler was informed that the settlement had been reached on the terms disclosed. No admission of liability was made as part of the resolution. Mr McConkey, who is now studying sports coaching at Gloucestershire University, attended court with his family for the outcome. His mother recalled him being “in a state of trauma” following the trip. “As a result of all this Gabriel left school rugby because of the environment,” she said. The family’s solicitor, Victoria Haddock of Phoenix Law, said: “Our client suffered distressing personal injury arising out of degrading, abusive incidents perpetrated on him during a Methodist College school trip. “This occurred at a critical stage of his formative life, in the middle of his gateway exams.” Ms Haddock added: “He is content that the matter resolved today, and has been vindicated with settlement in his favour of £52,760." Ends
L-R: Family solicitor Victoria Haddock of Phoenix Law; Rory McConkey (his sister); Gabriel McConkey and his parents Sian Mawhinney and Michael McConkey (mail@presseye.com) (mail@presseye.com)
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”.

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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.”