A top Northern Ireland school has owned up to a failure to protect pupils from sexual abuse, it emerged today.
Campbell College has agreed to pay undisclosed damages to one victim attacked in the dormitory of its preparatory department, Cabin Hill, more than a decade ago, and to his family.
In an out of court settlement school chiefs also admitted to negligence in their supervision of the prefect who carried out the abuse and in their investigation of the case.
The father of 10-year-old Boy A, who was subjected to harrowing assaults, stressed his six year quest was never about cash.
The settlement was reached just before civil proceedings taken by the victim, now in his 20s, and his parents, was due to begin at the Northern Ireland High Court.
Earlier this year a British government report delivered a scathing report on the governors and senior staff at the fee-paying Cabin Hill in east Belfast.
An inquiry team appointed by the Department of Education found multiple instances of serious sexual abuse on at least six pupils.
The attacks were carried out by a dormitory prefect at Cabin Hill, which closed its boarding department in October last year, during 1992 and 1993.
Even though he was forced to confess, the report in January criticised the school's inadequate response when few people were told what had gone on.
Boy A, who has attempted suicide as a result of his torment, and his family took two separate actions against the Board of Governors at the time of the abuse.
His father demanded urgent moves from the school to restore shattered trust.
The family's solicitors said justice had finally been done.
In a statement Campbell College expressed sorrow at what had happened and stressed that it has been scrutinised by inspection teams.
PA