Scoping Enquiry into Disgraced Surgeon Michael Shine Welcomed by Louth Politicians
- Dignity 4Patients
- Nov 27
- 4 min read
By Katie Finnegan and John Kierans- 27/11/2025- The Irish Independent- [Drogheda, Ireland]- [Michael Shine]
The Government is set to establish a scoping enquiry into the alleged paedophile activities of disgraced former surgeon Michael Shine, in what victims and campaigners hope will be the beginning of a full statutory investigation.
The proposal was brought before Cabinet on Wednesday by Minister for Health Jennifer Carroll MacNeill, who has previously met a number of Shine’s victims privately at Government Buildings. To date 387 people have come forward, many of whom were boys as young as ten when the alleged abuse began.
Ministers are expected to agree to a 16-week scoping exercise led by a senior counsel who will be appointed before Christmas. A Government source said: “It looks likely that this initial investigation will go ahead and a full-scale probe may follow. Minister Carroll MacNeill is determined to help his victims get justice.”
It is alleged that Shine, now 93, carried out most of the assaults at Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital in Drogheda and in his private consulting rooms in the town. He served three years in prison for abusing nine boys in a legacy case but has never been charged with the vast majority of offences alleged against him. Victims have long compared his case to that of the late BBC presenter Jimmy Savile, saying Shine was protected by a culture of cover-ups.
More than 200 victims have already settled compensation claims with the Lourdes Hospital, and at least 20 more cases are expected before the High Court this year.
Louth Labour TD Ged Nash said the announcement represents “significant progress for victims and survivors.”
“This is an important step in finally getting to the truth about what happened to them and why the abuse was allowed to continue largely unchallenged in health service settings for decades.
“This campaign has been ongoing for three decades. We need the exercise announced to lead to a formal, statutory process that is victim-centred, that can command the support, trust and confidence of the victims and survivors and that will ultimately see institutions held to account.
“The very first contribution I made in the Dáil chamber when I was first elected in 2011 focused on the actions of Michael Shine and the need for support for Dignity4Patients.
“This has been a long journey that at times has felt endless and where hope was in short supply. With the announcement, we are all hopeful and optimistic that this significant new chapter will lead to a positive outcome and the design of a process that we can all support.”
TD Paula Buttely also welcomed the announcement, calling the timebound nature of the scoping exercise crucial.
“Since being elected as a TD, I have seen the devastation and pain caused by Michael Shine. I have been working closely with the Minister and Dignity4Parents to find a resolution that is victim-centred and will finally give them the answers they need.
“The timebound nature of this scoping exercise is a welcome development as it will ensure that action is taken to move forward on the issue, and victims’ voices are prioritised in its procedure.
“Victims deserve the right to move forward, and I eagerly await the recommendations that come as a result of this exercise.
“It is imperative that the State protects victims of abuse and listens to their stories.”
Fianna Fáil Senator for Louth, Alison Comyn, said the Government’s move follows persistent requests from Dignity4Patients on behalf of victims and survivors. “This is an important and welcome step. I hope it will ultimately lead to what is truly needed — a full statutory inquiry.”
She noted that the draft terms of reference will be finalised following engagement with Dignity4Patients, Government Departments and the Attorney General.
“The announcement marks a significant step towards uncovering the full extent of the horrific crimes committed by this vile man. The survivors deserve to know how this abuse was allowed to continue for so many years. They are seeking peace of mind and that can only be achieved through truth and accountability.”
“This is a positive step forward but we must keep going until we reach the outcome that survivors need and deserve.”
Sinn Féin TD for Louth Joanna Byrne also welcomed the development, saying the Minister for Health has finally heeded the call from victims and will bring a memo to Cabinet regarding a 16-week scoping exercise to lay the pathway for a statutory inquiry process into decades of abuse by convicted sexual offender Michael Shine.
Having discussed the news with Dignity 4 Patients, the organisation that currently supports and represents over 390 people, Deputy Byrne said: “While newly elected in this Dáil term, like so many other local families I am aware of the immense pain and trauma that survivors of Michael Shine have faced, and of the long and difficult path they have walked with Dignity 4 Patients in their fight for truth and justice – so I am heartened to hear that they have welcomed the announcement and feel heard. However, I acknowledge that many are cautiously optimistic and will need to consider what is being proposed.
“In April this year it was my privilege as a Drogheda-based TD to host Dignity 4 Patients in Leinster House, where survivors Larry, Ciaran, Gerard, Peter and Ian bravely shared their heart-breaking personal testimony directly with Oireachtas members. Cross-party TDs and Senators who joined my presentation that day were genuinely moved by the campaign and committed to supporting their call. The group have since gone on to meet An Taoiseach and the Minister for Health, and continue to campaign. Their resilience and determination is inspiring.”
“This is an important first step towards justice and transparency, and crucially it must lead to a commission of investigation where victims and survivors finally get answers to long-standing questions about how their sexual abuse was handled by Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital, the religious order running the hospital, the Medical Missionaries of Mary, An Garda Síochána, and successive Departments of Health. Forty-nine years have passed since the first complaint of sexual abuse by Michael Shine. Thirty-two years of campaigning have passed. There must be no more delay.”
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.
