Dublin: The campaign for a full public inquiry into the decades-long abuse scandal involving disgraced surgeon Dr. Michael Shine has gained renewed momentum as 21 more victims have come forward this summer.
According to advocacy group Dignity4Patients, these survivors – who contacted the organisation between April and August – have expressed their willingness to testify, provided the government establishes an independent investigation. The revelations were disclosed during a meeting between the group and Health Minister Jennifer Carroll MacNeill, where the extent of the abuse was once again brought to the forefront.
Currently, 387 former patients have alleged that Shine sexually abused them, the majority being underage boys at the time. The government is expected to decide by the end of this year whether to launch a full-scale inquiry.
Pursuit of Justice
The proposed inquiry is set to cast light on several institutions, including Drogheda’s Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital, where Shine worked as a surgeon from 1964 until his retirement in 1995 with full pension benefits. Survivors insist that justice must not be delayed, especially as Shine, now 93 years old, continues to live freely in Dublin.
In July, Dignity4Patients submitted a detailed framework outlining how such an inquiry should proceed. In her written response, Minister Carroll MacNeill expressed “deep concern” for the suffering endured by victims and reaffirmed her commitment to finding an appropriate resolution.
Adrian O’Reilly, CEO of Dignity4Patients, welcomed the minister’s assurances but stressed that victims deserve a legal process that examines the systemic failures which enabled Shine’s crimes for decades. “This is the least the State can do,” O’Reilly said.
A History of Denied Justice
Despite dozens of complaints spanning decades, Shine served only three years in prison after being convicted in a limited number of cases. Most allegations were either dismissed or never brought to trial, leaving survivors without justice.
Shine was released in February 2021 and has since lived openly in Dublin. Survivors say this reality underscores the urgency of holding the State accountable for its failure to act.
Unanswered Questions
Survivors continue to press for clarity on critical issues:
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When were the first abuse complaints against Shine officially recorded?
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How were the complaints of 1975, 1977, and 1983 handled by hospital authorities?
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Why were no protective measures taken to safeguard children after early warnings?
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Why was Shine allowed to retire with full pension benefits despite allegations?
For survivors like Larry Torres, who was abused by Shine at age 10 in 1994, these questions represent not only a demand for accountability but also a painful reminder of institutional negligence.
“Why was Shine permitted to quietly retire after complaints were lodged?” Torres asked. “Were decisions made in the best interest of victims, or in the interest of protecting the institution?”
As the year draws to a close, survivors and advocacy groups insist that the government must finally move beyond expressions of sympathy and deliver the justice long denied.
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