A 16-year-old girl has been cautioned and interviewed by police following the sale of “cannabis gummies” at Enniskillen Royal Grammar School.

The principal of Enniskillen Royal Grammar School, Elizabeth Armstrong, has said that pupils at her school had made some “very wrong choices” as it emerged that the school suspended four pupils over an incident with “an illegal substance”.

The PSNI has also confirmed that an investigation is “ongoing” after Instagram accounts were discovered containing a “significant number of derogatory, inflammatory and highly inappropriate posts which include vicious and totally untrue statements about our pupils and staff”.

In a letter to parents, Miss Armstrong confirmed the suspension of four students in relation to an illegal substance: “Last week we became aware of the sales and consumption of gummies sweets containing an illegal substance, also referred to as edibles, by our pupils. Following our investigation four pupils were suspended and the PSNI and the other statutory agencies have also been informed.”

The Principal also addressed the issue surrounding an Instagram account, called ergs_memes69, which had over 200 followers according to the letter sent to parents: “This account was reported to Instagram and the PSNI over the weekend and, as far as we are aware, has been removed. However, we are conscious that several pupils may still be in possession of screen-shots and images they have saved from this. We also became aware on Monday afternoon of a second account ergs_memes69.v2, which we reported and which we believe has also been removed. Our investigations and the PSNI investigations into this incident are still ongoing,” Miss Armstrong wrote in her letter.

The letter goes on to say that the school are “treating both situations with the utmost seriousness” and that the pupils involved “have been, and will be sanctioned” in line with the school policy.

Miss Armstrong spoke with The Impartial Reporter on Wednesday (February 12), in relation to both incidents explaining that there are many pressures facing young people: “Our young people face many challenges, pressures and choices in our modern society: over the past week we as a school have been dealing with serious issues which have arisen through pupils making very wrong choices with regard to ‘gummies’, sweets containing an illegal substance, also referred to as edibles, and through the posting of offensive memes,” she said.

The principal also said that the school was working with the police and communicating with parents with respect to the serious nature of the incidents: “In dealing with these serious issues in a robust and open manner we work with the PSNI and the other statutory agencies in the necessary multi-agency approach. We also work closely with our parents in a spirit of open communication and dialogue. It is crucial that there is on-going dialogue at all levels, in schools and in homes, about these serious issues, the dangers they pose to our young people, and the need for our young people to make the right choices.”

A spokesperson for the PSNI confirmed: “Police were informed that a pupil at a local school in Enniskillen had sold ‘cannabis gummies’ to a fellow pupil on Friday, January 31. A 16-year-old female pupil was subsequently cautioned and interviewed and police enquiries are ongoing.

“Police are aware of reports from a school regarding derogatory remarks on an Instagram account.

“Anyone that gets involved in this kind of behaviour needs to consider the consequences their actions can have. Therefore, we would always ask individuals to think about what you are doing - don’t get caught up in something that could cause concern to others or jeopardise your own future.”