By John Kierans - Drogheda Independent - 11.03.2025 - [Michael Shine] - [IRELAND]
Four new men of have come forward in the last month alleging they were molested by paedophile doctor Michael Shine. They contacted Dignity4patients, the group representing those abused by him and it brings to 363 the number of people who allege they were molested by the 93-year-old medic in the past.
Most of the incidents occurred in Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital where Shine was a surgeon in the seventies and eighties.
But now a campaign to force the Government to set up a Commission of Investigation into the long running scandal is being stepped up.
The Seand is to summon new Justice Minister Jim O'Callaghan to appear before it to discuss the horrific Shine case after it was raised by Drogheda Senator Allison Comyn last week.
She told the Seanad: "I am requesting a debate with the Minister for Justice Jim O'Callaghan on the need for a Commission of Investigation for victims and survivors of Micheal Shine.
"As of today there are 363 known victims and survivors of Michael Shine, the former surgeon and convicted sexual offender who abused young boys, teenagers and young men over a 30 year old period in Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital, Drogheda.
"I met last week with some of his victims and survivors and they say they have had piecemeal justice.
"They have lived through decades of lengthy civil cases and have seen him receive a criminal conviction and a sentence of four years, of which he served three years.
"Despite reports of sexual abuse first made in the 1960s and 1970s Dr Shine continued to practise, having access to young boys in the hospital, in his private practise and in a local orphanage.
"His victims feel that there has been no full and effective statutory investigation into who knew of the sexual abuse, when they knew, and how it was allowed to take place."
The Tánaiste Simon Harris had promised last year that action would be taken against this "vile" predator during the lifetime of the Government.
However, Senator Comyn said no definite steps have been taken to address this issue and that has to change.
She added: "Hundreds of these men are living with the trauma of their experience and many questions are unanswered. Victims and survivors are understandably sceptical but are still very hopeful about whether they will ever get the answers they need through an open and thorough Commission of Investigation."
The leader of the Seanad Sean Kyne said he will raise the call for the Commission directly with the Justice Minister.
He said: "It is obviously a very important decision and anything like that would have to go from the Minister to Cabinet for approval, but I will certainly raise it with him." If you have been affected by any of the issues raised in this article and were abused in state run medical and health facilities, you can contact Dignity4Patients, whose helpline is open Monday to Thursday 10am to 4pm.
Dignity4Patients Commentary:- Many victims desire a Commission of Investigation not only to establish how their abuse went undiscovered, or how those in positions of authority failed to protect them. But the desire an acknowledgement of the abuse that happened and the subsequent trauma of delayed justice. Many simply want happened never to be repeated. How can we guarantee that without a Commission of Investigation, learning outcomes and recommendations? #StopSexualAbuse #TruthMatters