Statutory inquiry to be carried out into convicted sexual offender Dr Michael Shine
- Dignity 4Patients
- Jul 16
- 4 min read
Updated: Jul 20
By Eilish O'Regan- 16/07/2026- Irish Independent- [Ireland]- [Michael Shine]
A full statutory inquiry into “prolific sexual offender “ Michael Shine, who worked as a medical consultant at Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital in Drogheda, Louth is to go ahead.
The inquiry has been recommended by senior counsel Lorcan Staines who was asked by the Minister for Health Jennifer Carroll MacNeill to do a scoping exercise to determine what kind of investigation be carried out.
Shine worked as a senior registrar and later a consultant at Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital between 1964 and 1995.
He was found guilty of assaults against nine boys, at two trials in 2017 and 2019, before serving three years in prison. He is now in his nineties and lives in Dublin. Victims’ groups have been campaigning for a statutory inquiry.
More than 200 people have settled civil claims against the Medical Missionaries of Mary religious order that oversaw the running of the hospital at that time.
In his report today Mr Staines said: “I have formed the view that, given the number of victims and survivors -currently standing at over 400- and the significant issues raised by them which have not previously been examined sufficiently, or at all, a further State response is required.
“Given the significant passage of time since the events the subject of this scoping exercise occurred, I am also of the view that any State response should be bespoke and tailored to the specific issues raised, as well as carried out as expeditiously as possible.
“I recommend a six-phase Commission of Investigation to be established by way of statutory instrument pursuant to the Commission of Investigation Act 2004.
“I further recommend that the Commission should be chaired by one person and that all six-phases can and should be run concurrently and start immediately.”
He said the aim is to avoid a lengthy and inefficient process.
The first phase should be an independent, document-based examination of the history of the criminal complaints made to the gardai, the submission of complaints to the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions, of decisions made to prosecute or not to prosecute.
It will look at the “outcome of those prosecutions in order to provide victims and survivors, and the public, with a clear explanation as to why so few allegations made against Michael Shine resulted in a conviction.”
The second phase will be an independent, document-based review examining the response of the Medical Council to complaints and allegations concerning Michael Shine.
The third will look at the circumstances of his retirement in 1995 and the fourth a short and focused module on current patient-protection policies in the Irish healthcare system.
The fifth will be an independent Truth and Recovery Process - a distinct, victim-centred and non-adversarial module, starting promptly and running alongside preparation for the more formal stage of the investigation. It could and should provide a structured means by which victims and survivors may be heard in their own right.
It should enable victims and survivors to describe, in their own words, what happened to them and the impact of the abuse on them in a respectful, structured and potentially evidentially useful way.
The sixth will amount to a comprehensive investigation into the actions of and events surrounding the abuse committed by Michael Shine followed by a report setting out, so far as the evidence permits, what was known, by whom, and at what stage.
“It should examine the full extent to which relevant bodies received complaints, information, warning signs or indications of risk concerning Michael Shine, what actions they took in response, and whether their actions were adequate and timely in the circumstances as they then stood.”
Mr Staines said “the victims and survivors whom I met -approximately 75 in all- were middle aged to elderly men from all walks of life in Drogheda and the surrounding areas. They made a considerable impression on me.
“They were polite, measured, and visibly grateful to have someone listen to them in an informal environment. Many were self-deprecating and underplayed the seriousness of what had happened to them.
“The damage done to these men was palpable, even following the passage of time.”
He added :”Nearly all of the victims who spoke to me were of the view that Michael Shine’s conduct was a matter of public knowledge at the time. Many referred to local warnings, local comments, and the phrase that ‘the dogs on the street’ knew what was happening.”
The victims involved a broad range of ages, including reports of abuse when victims were children, teenagers and young adults.
Adriene Reilly chief executive of Dignity 4 Patients said today : “Everyone at Dignity4Patients is very pleased that this has happened today. It is a historic moment. Finally there is something on the record going towards full vindication of all the victims and survivors of convicted sexual offender Michael Shine. “Many have waited for this moment for over thirty years. Many living in silence much longer.”
If you have been affected by the issues raised in this article, support is available.
If you have previously used our service, we encourage you to get in touch again for support.
We also welcome contact from anyone who wishes to participate in an inquiry process, including individuals with relevant information, whether or not they are victims.
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Contact the team by phone on 041 984 3730 or text 086 165 4111.
Dignity4Patients Commentary: The response from victims has been overwhelmingly positive. Everyone at Dignity4Patients is very pleased that this has happened today. It is a historic moment in that at least finally there is something on the record going towards full vindication of all the victims and survivors of convicted sexual offender Michael Shine. Many have waited for this moment for thirty years.
