Decision on Commission of Investigation into Actions of Shamed Doctor Expected Shortly
- Dignity 4Patients
- Oct 13
- 2 min read
By John Kierans- 13/10/2025- Irish Independent- [Michael Shine]- [IRELAND]
The Government will make a decision shortly on whether to hold a Commission of Investigation into the paedophile activities of shamed doctor Michael Shine.
The Health Minister Jennifer Carroll MacNeill confirmed she has received a paper from the Dignity4Patients, the group which represents the 384 victims and their families about what should happen next in their crusade for justice.
She confirmed the issues set out in the paper have been carefully considered and she expects to receive a paper from her officials imminently on the matter.
The Minister stated: "On receipt of the paper I am committed to engaging with Government colleagues to finalise the next steps regarding an appropriate and bespoke response to the issues raised by and the needs identified by Dignity4Patients on behalf of the victims and survivors of Michael Shine.
"I will continue to engage with the Dignity4Patients Group. I want to state that the abuse of trust and attack on the dignity of patients by Mr Michael Shine was a terrible betrayal of his patients.
"Government has the deepest sympathy and concern for the victims of Michael Shine. I met with the Dignity4Patients support group on 30 April,2025. I was grateful to the victims of Michael Shine for meeting with me and for the opportunity to listen to them"
The Minister was responding to a parliamentary question on the scandal from the Louth Fianna Fail TD Erin McGreehan.
Shine, 93 served just three years in jail for sexually abusing a number of patients.
The vast majority of his victims have not had a day in court or received any compensation for the horrific ordeals they suffered.
The convicted doctor carried out most of the abuse at the Lourdes Hospital and his private rooms in Fair Street from the early sixties to his retirement in 1995.
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: Where systemic failures have prevented criminal prosecution, the need for the establishment of an independent statutory inquiry becomes apparent. Such an inquiry can provide a formal mechanism to uncover the truth, acknowledge harm, and pursue justice. These measures are not only about accountability for the past, but also about preventing recurrence, restoring trust, and demonstrating institutional commitment to ethical responsibility.
