Current News

07/03/2023 – Irish Times – Article
Irish Times article highlights a new Scoping Inquiry into sexual abuse in educational settings run by religious orders. After a request from Dignity4Patients to the minister to have Healthcare settings run by religious orders included, this new Scoping Inquiry fails to address victim and survivor needs of sexual abuse of children in healthcare to be investigated.

06/03/2023 – Irish Daily Star – Article
Irish Daily Star article highlights how the Minister for Health refused calls from TD Ged Nash to provide details on the balance of an Indemnity Fund, who is reviewing it or acknowledge this fund was setup in relation to helping victims of sexual abuse and victims and survivors should be included in any consideration to return the money to a religious order. Nothing has ever been paid out from it.

06/03/2023 – Irish Daily Mirror – Article
Irish Daily Mirror article highlights how victims and survivors seek details of the Independent Reviewer appointed to consider a withdrawal of funds by the M Medical Missionaries of Mary from a state Indemnity Fund.

21/02/2023 – Drogheda Independent – Article
Drogheda Independent News article highlights how victims and survivors of patient sexual abuse are outraged at reports of the Medical Missionaries of Mary attempt to withdraw monies from a fund setup to indemnify the State against claims of sexual abuse at the Lourdes Hospital. These funds should be utilised to cover the costs of a Commission of Investigation.

21/02/2023 – Extra.ie – Article
Extra.ie News article highlights the concerns that an independent expert may decide on the return of funds without any input from victims and survivors or Dignity4Patients. The money that has accrued through interest in this account should be given over to meet the rights, requests and medical needs of the victims and survivors.

19/02/2023 – Dignity4Patients – Press Statement
Dignity4Patients Press Statement supports the State in their fight to stop the Medical Missionaries of Mary withdrawing funds set aside for legal redress for victims and survivors of sexual abuse by paedophile surgeon Michael Shine and call for immediate meeting with the Independent Expert appointed to adjudicate on this.

19/02/2023 2 – Irish Mirror– Article
Irish Mirror article highlights how the Medical Missionaries of Mary congregation is trying to retrieve some of the cash it paid into an indemnity fund to protect the State and help pay for legal costs . It is understood an independent expert has been appointed to help resolve the issue.

18/02/2023 2 – Irish Times – Article
Irish Times article highlights how the Medical Missionaries of Mary are seeking to withdraw funds from an indemnity fund setup to indemnify the State against claims arising from alleged sexual abuse at Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital which the State is fighting.

28/12/2022 – Irish Mirror – Article
Irish Mirror article highlights the devastating effects on child victims of patient sexual abuse by healthcare professionals and one victims call to government to include Our Lady of Lourdes hospital in any commission of investigation into institutional sexual abuse.

29/11/2022 – RTE News – Article
RTE News article highlights how Ireland’s child protection system is under-resourced and that criminal trials retraumatise victims of historic sexual abuse where there is no forensic evidence. Trials are essentially based on the credibility of the survivors’ testimony and the survivors often feel personally assailed as their life choices, are used to undermine their evidence.

24/11/2022 – Dail Debate – Abuse at Certain Institutions
Transcript of Statements made by TD’s and Deputies in the Dail Debate on Abuse at certain Educational and Other Institutions. With calls for a Commission of Investigation to include abuse at Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital, Drogheda.

17/11/2022 – Dignity4Patients – Press Statement
Dignity4Patients Press Statement highlights how any new government inquiry or commission of investigation into sexual abuse of children should be an overarching investigation including all adult survivors of childhood sexual abuse and not just that of the Spiritan order.

16/11/2022 – Irish Independent – Article
Independent News article highlights how victim-survivors of patient sexual abuse have been gagged from speaking out about their abuse and their settlement agreement.

15/11/2022 – The Guardian – Article
Guardian News article highlights how Taoiseach Michael Martin, praises Vicky Phelan for refusing to sign a confidentially agreements to gag her from speaking out. It raises questions as to why a public body under control of the government tries to gag those that uncover failings in the system? And as Taoiseach what he will do to withdraw their use to allow transparency of public services.

14/11/2022 – Doncaster Free Press – Article
Doncaster Free Press News article highlights how another doctor (Dr Nazeer) is caught sexually abusing patients and how his conduct was fundamentally incompatible with his work and undermined public confidence in the profession of doctors. Yet he was still allowed to continue to have access to hospitals and patients with only a mentor to monitor him from 2018 until 2022 when he was struck off the medical register.

08/11/2022 – RTE News – Article
RTE News article highlights how a Dublin doctor from a GP Practice in Terenure has pleaded guilty to one count of knowingly distributing child pornography. He also pleaded guilty to one count of possessing child pornography. Yet the Irish Medical Council allows him to continue to practise as a doctor with only a condition attached to his work that he treats adult patients only. No requirement for chaperoning or supervision to safeguard all patients including vulnerable adults. Why?

07/11/2022 – RTE One Documentary Podcast – Blackrock Boys
Heart breaking account of childhood sexual abuse and the obstacles the victims faced to obtain justice against the perpetrators and the institution (Blockrock College / Spiritans) that failed to protect them. The account includes their journey to seek personal healing and long-term effect the abuse hand on them, their family and their friends. (NOTE: contains graphic details of abuse an may have a triggering effect for other victims)

11/10/2022 – Medical Independent – Article
Concerns raised regarding the level of transparency at Safeguarding Ireland. Questions raised as to why safeguarding roles are restricted to nurses only by the HSE and Safeguarding. These restrictions curtail the recruitment of qualified experts to direct t safeguarding of children and vulnerable adults. Why?

04/10/2022 – Irish Independent – Article
Irish Independent article highlights the costs to the state to investigate cases of sexual harassment and bullying in the civil service. This finally includes independent investigators to access complaints of the ‘Trust in Care’ services such as the HSE and policies for health service employees to uphold the dignity and welfare of patients. An ask of Dignity4Patients and its clients for so many years.

30/08/2022 – Dignity4Patients – 2021 Annual Report
Dignity4Patients publishes their 2021 annual report highlighting their work on behalf of victim-survivors of sexual abuse in the Irish health care services.

29/08/2022 – US News – Article
US News article highlights the publishing of the American Academy of Paediatrics policy guidelines to prevent sexual abuse in healthcare setting. Something unfortunately lacking from the Irish Medical Council.

29/08/2022 – APP News – Protecting Children from Sexual Abuse Guidelines
American Academy of Paediatrics News article highlights the important publishing of the AAP’s policy guidelines and recommendations to prevent sexual abuse in healthcare setting.

24/08/2022 – Irish Mirror – Article
Irish Mirror article highlights how an unrepentant offender believes its the “right thing to do” that the DPP drops further prosecutions against him with no regard to the closure and justice victim-survivors deserve.

20/08/2022 – LMFM News – Article
LMFM News article highlights the need for the Minister for Justice to establish a Commission of Investigation for Shine Victim-Survivors due to the criminal prosecutions not proceeding and the need to provide victims-survivors with a justice pathway.

20/08/2022 – Drogheda Independent – Article
Drogheda Independent article highlights Louth TD’s call to Minister for Justice to establish a Commission of Investigation for Shine Victim-Survivors.

19/08/2022 – Irish Independent – Article
Irish Independent article highlights childhood sexual abuse victim-survivors dismay at the DPP’s decision to drop prosecutions and calls on the Minister for Justice to immediately establish a Commission of Investigation.

19/08/2022 – Dundalk Democrat – Article
Dundalk Democrat article highlights the feelings felt by victim-survivors at the DPP’s decision to drop prosecutions and the need for a commission of investigation.

19/08/2022 – Prime Time – Documentary
RTE Investigates program highlights the need for an independent Commission of Investigation which must be commissioned by the government as criminal justice options are being thwarted for victim-survivors.

19/08/2022 – Extra.ie – Article
Extra.ie article highlights the anger felt by victim-survivors at the DPP’s decision to drop prosecutions of alleged abuser and any government reports or investigations into to hospital abuse should be made public.

18/08/2022 – Dignity4Patients – Press Statement
Dignity4Patients Press Statement highlights how criminal justice avenues for sexual abuse victims are being closed off by a recent decision by the DPP and victims only other options are a commission of investigation.

18/08/2022 – RTE Investigates – Article
RTE Investigates article highlights the plight of victim-survivors who can not access justice because of a DPP decision not to prosecute their alleged offender accused of childhood sexual abuse.

10/08/2022 – Irish Times- Article
Irish Times article highlights the growing number of victim cases being dropped by the DPP for prosecution, particularly those relating to alleged sexual abuse.

25/03/2022 – Law Society Gazette – Article
The Law Society Gazette article highlights the Department of Justice’s continued funding for Victims of Crime support services including Dignity4Patients and holding its first Victims’ Forum on improving victims rights.

25/02/2022 – Dublin Live  – Article
Dublin Live news article highlights convicted offenders refusal to apologise to victims.

23/02/2022 – Meath Chronicle  – Article
Meath Chronicle news article highlights Dignity4Patients renewed call for public inquiry into sexual abuse in Ireland’s healthcare system.

23/02/2022 – Drogheda Independent – Article
Drogheda Independent news article highlights Michael Shine’s victims still fighting for justice as their abuser walks free.

23/02/2022 – Independent Newspaper – Article
Independent news article highlights 10 year wait of victims and survivors in seeking justice for sexual crimes committed against them in our healthcare system.

23/02/2022 – Dignity4Patients – Press Statement
Dignity4Patients Press Statement highlights the appalling delay in Civil Settlements for victims and survivors and once again calls for a public inquiry into sexual abuse our healthcare system.

23/02/2022 – Independent Newspaper – Article
Independent news article highlights special treatment of a sex offender as he leaves prison after serving three years behind bars.

22/02/2022 – Ged Nash – Dáil Éireann
TD Ged Nash raises questions in Dáil Éireann on the day before a convicted offender is released from prison after serving his sentence but the pain for survivors goes on.

15/02/2022 – RTE News – Article
RTE News article highlights concerns over HSE management of services and the need for an inquiry to understand the patterns, faults and failings leading to sexual abuse in healthcare settings.

14/02/2022 – Irish Mirror  – Article
Irish Mirror’s article on 143-Cases-of-suspected-sex-abuse and a call for a new national policy on the sexual abuse of patients.

13/02/2022 – Sky News – Article
Sky News report on the setup of helplines for patients after doctor arrested on suspicion of sexual assault.

10/02/2022 – Irish Examiner – Article
Irish Examiner’s article on double agony for victims as settlement deal delayed due to legal costs.

23/01/2022 – LMFM News – Article
LMFM News article highlights the victims feelings on early prison release of offender and injustice of delayed settlements.

21/01/2022 – Independent – Article
Independent newspaper article highlights how hundreds of nurses and other healthcare works were disciplined over sex assaults or abuse in UK.

18/01/2022 – RTE News – Article
RTE News article highlights disgrace of unpublished Brandon Report into sexual abuse in care setting.

23/11/2021 – RTE Investigates – Prime Time
Prime Time investigation into patient sexual abuse in Naas Hospital by an anaesthetist.

10/11/2021 – Irish Independent – Article
Independent’s article on the legal costs row threatening the settlement deal for abuse victims of Dr. Shine.

14/10/2021 – Irish Independent – Article
Independent’s article on the civil settlements of patients of sexual abuse by struck of surgeon..

10/10/2021 – World Mental Heath Day – No Excuses
In partnership with the Department of Justice No Excuses Campaign. The issue of understanding consent is fundamental to preventing the often hidden crime of sexual violence against Healthcare patients.

29/09/2021 – Sage Advocacy – Victim Survey
Sage Advocacy – Victims of Crime – Anonymous Survey to assess the feedback of victims to the services offered to vulnerable persons who are often the subject of hidden crime.

09/12/2020 – Irish Times – Article
Irish Times article on Whistle-blowers in health sector most likely to be punished.

12/10/220 – Belfast Telegraph – Article
Belfast Telegraph’s article on sexual abuse of patients ‘going unchecked’ in health service.

12/10/220 – The Journal – Article
The Journal’s article on Sexual abusers ‘going unchecked’ in Ireland’s health service.

12/10/220 – BreakingNews.ie – Article
BreakingNews.ie article on Dignity4Patients calls for an Inquiry into the Sexual Abuse of Patients.

12/10/2020 – Annual Report Launch – Press Statement.
Dignity4Patients launched their Annual Report 12th October 2020 and released the following Press Statement.

30/09/2020 – Dignity4Patients Joins Facebook Charitable Giving.
Donations can now be submitted directly through our Facebook page or opt to fundraise on our behalf.

24/09/2020 – Learn about the benefits to you of Phone or Video GP appointments.
Visit our Facebook page to view our video on the benefits of Remote Healthcare.

21/09/2020 – Understanding the Government Restriction Levels.
Visit our Facebook page to view our guide to understanding the different Levels associated with Covid-19 outbreaks.