Twenty-four victims of paedophile doctor Michael Shine died without justice as abuse toll mounts
- Dignity 4Patients
- 3 days ago
- 3 min read
By John Kierans - 27/07/2026 - The Independent [Ireland] - Michael Shine
Twenty-four victims of paedophile doctor, Michael Shine, have died without ever getting justice.
That is the number who have passed away since they first contacted Dignity4Patients, the victim advocacy group, over the lifelong antics of the pervert medic.
The sad data was revealed by the group’s CEO Adrienne Reilly, who also disclosed that five others had tried to take their own lives but thankfully survived.
She said: “The number of deceased, we are aware of, is 24 to date. The number of suspected suicide attempts that we are aware of is five. Many others express those feelings but thankfully have not acted on them and have sought support.”
Before the Government decision last week to now establish a Commission of Investigation into Shine, a total of 410 individuals contacted Dignity4Patients alleging he had abused them.
Now a further 11 new victims have come forward in the past seven days seeking retribution and justice, and Dignity4Patients have arranged to meet them.
Adrienne Reilly also confirmed 33 victims had issued civil proceedings against the 94-year-old abuser, including five new cases.
She said: “The number of criminal cases with the Gardaí that we are aware of, and who used our service for a referral or accompaniment, is 38.”
But 26 of these were informed the DPP will not be prosecuting, and the group is trying to get a summary of reasons why.
Dr Shine, who is being branded Ireland’s Jimmy Savile by the scale of his abuse, served just three and a half years in jail.
Last night, one of his most prominent victims, Gerard Murray, raped by Shine when he was four years old, fumed: “They let him out early for good behaviour when he never admitted his guilt. It is disgraceful he only served three and a half years considering what he did.
“He should have got a life sentence, in my opinion, because that is what all the survivors and victims are serving.
“I have to live with what Michael Shine did to me until the day I die.”
Gerard is now confident the Commission of Investigation will go ahead, but the victims want to know why so many people and institutions protected Shine over the years..
He added: “We want to know why these people did what they did. We want answers and some acknowledgement that what they did was wrong.
“Were they afraid of what might happen to them and their careers if they spoke out?
“The original whistleblower, Maureen Sullivan, was hounded in her job for exposing him and telling the truth.”
Michael Shine abused children at Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital, Drogheda, and in his private rooms in the town from the 1960s to the mid-1990s, when he was eventually forced to resign from his job.
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.
The Dignity4Patients helpline is open Monday to Thursday, from 10.00am to 4.00pm.
Contact the team by phone on 041 984 3730 or text 086 165 4111.
Dignity4Patients Commentary: It is deeply saddening that so many victims died before the Government made the decision to establish a Commission of Investigation into the abuse they suffered at the hands of Michael Shine. Justice delayed is justice denied. Although they are no longer here to witness this step, their experiences, voices and the profound harm they endured must continue to be recognised, acknowledged and honoured. They, like every survivor, deserve truth, accountability and justice.
