21 new victims of Michael Shine came forward this summer
- Dignity 4Patients
- 3 days ago
- 4 min read
Updated: 1 day ago
By John Kierans - Irish Mirror - 31.08.2025 - [IRELAND] - {Michael Shine]
21 new victims of paedophile monster Michael Shine have come forward this summer.
They are all willing to testify against him at a public enquiry if and when the Government agrees to go ahead with one. Each one of them contacted Dignity4Patients – the advocacy group representing the pervert’s victims and their families – since April, when the group first met Health Minister Jennifer Carroll MacNeill about a Commission of Investigation into the scandal.
A total of 387 former patients now claim they were sexually abused or molested by Shine. Most of them were young boys at the time. Informed sources say the Government will decide in the autumn if a public enquiry will be held.
The proposed probe will shine a light on many institutions of the State, such as the Garda, the medical profession, the former North Eastern Health Board, and the Medical Missionary of Mary nuns, who owned and ran Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital in Drogheda, where most of the abuse occurred.
But it must be held soon because the perpetrator, Shine is now 93 years old. Earlier in the summer, Dignity4Patients sent a proposal to the Government outlining what the Commission should look like and the avenues of investigation it needs to pursue.
On July 16, Minister Carroll MacNeill responded to them by letter, which we have seen. In it, she said: “The information provided is very thorough, and I appreciate the time and effort that went into compiling such a comprehensive document, including the engagement on the part of victims and survivors.
“Government has the deepest concern for all the victims of Michael Shine. I am committed to engaging with my Government colleagues to identify an appropriate and bespoke response to the issues raised.”
Adrienne O’Reilly, CEO of Dignity4Patients, gave a positive response to the letter. She said: “Victims and survivors remain cautiously optimistic that the Minister will come back with something real and meaningful.
“The victims need to finally be able to engage with a statutory process which will look at the systemic failures that allowed Dr Shine to sexually abuse children and young men for decades.
“It is the minimum the State should do. It is what the French are doing immediately after the trial of Joel Le Scouranec announced recently. He also abused over 300 victims.”
Shine only served three years in jail for abusing a handful of his victims. Most of their cases were never investigated by gardai or taken to court and his victims have had little or no justice. He has been openly living in the Dublin area since he was released from prison in February 2021.
Shine worked as a surgeon at Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital from 1964 until he abruptly retired on full pension in 1995, before details of the scandal broke publicly.
Today, we reveal some of the hard-hitting questions to which the victims want answers:
When were complaints of sexual abuse against Michael Shine made?
Victims/Survivors know complaints were made as early as 1975,1977 and 1983. How were they dealt with and recorded?
Why was nothing done to protect them and other children and people? Given that the first known complaint was made in 1975, and the last of his known abuse was in 1994.
The victims say these questions are really important to them, and especially to Larry Torris, one of the youngest who was abused. He told Taoiseach Micheal Martin at his office on April 16 that Shine’s first known abuse was in 1964 and was well known.
Yet, Mr Torris was born 20 years later and because the hospital authorities did nothing, Shine was allowed to abuse him in 1994 when he was 10 years old.
In their submission to the Health Minister, the victims asked: “Why was Michael Shine permitted to retire, effectively bringing the complaints process to an end?
“In May 1995, following the first complaint, discussions were held about the consultant’s potential retirement. However, Michael Shine showed no interest, and those discussions concluded on July 27.
“After three additional complaints emerged, the issue of retirement was revisited on September 21. Shine formally retired from the hospital on October 13, thereby halting any ongoing disciplinary proceedings or internal investigation.
Who approved and agreed to this? Was this in the interest of the victims?”
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: .Disciplinary procedures and formal processes for addressing healthcare employee misconduct should follow a clear, structured, and fair framework. This includes thorough investigations where both parties—the victim and the accused—have the opportunity to respond. Such measures are essential to uphold professional standards, protect the rights of all involved, and ensure patient safety within a secure healthcare environment. If misconduct goes uninvestigated, the integrity, trust, and ethical standing of the healthcare provision are undermined. A zero-tolerance approach to sexual abuse is vital for reinforcing public trust and demonstrating that healthcare professionals are committed to delivering evidence-based care that prioritises patient well-being and safety.
