By Diarmuid Brecknell - Phoenix Law - 19.08.2024 - [Public Inquiry] - [Truth Recovery]
Phoenix Law, instructed by several of the victims, have has formally written to the Minister of Justice seeking a Commission of Investigation to be opened into the actions of Michael Shine.
Michael Shine is one of the most notorious convicted pedophiles in Irish history and to date has only served 3 years in jail. He was a consultant surgeon in Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital in Drogheda, Co. Louth from 1964 to his retirement in 1995. Within these years he abused over 300 patients. 200 have received civil settlements with only 7 getting their day in court to see Shine convicted of the abuse he perpetrated on them.
The reports of abuse to Our Lady of Lourdes hospital began in 1964 with allegations of abuse on a 16 year old boy. This were no records or action taken by the hospital. This turned out to be a regular occurrence. There were 2 further complaints made with no action taken or written records taken. Even in 2003 when a victim took a complaint to the An Garda Siochana, they were told there isn’t enough evidence and they should write a letter of apology to Shine for bringing the allegation.
It is widely recognised, particularly in Drogheda, that the abuse was an open secret. Regrettably, this situation was obscured and covered up by the very public bodies entrusted with the care of young people in the region.
In circumstances such as these, it is imperative that there is a full, transparent and thorough investigation to which can make the necessary recommendations to ensure such systemic failings do not recur.
Not only is there a positive obligation on the state to investigate in circumstances such as these, but there is a positive obligation to learn lessons and ensure steps are taken to ensure that such failings are not repeated nor endorsed by the state. It is difficult to comprehend a situation more serious whereby upwards of 200 victims have been abused at the hands of a medical professional, with limited recourse to criminal prosecutions and sanctions, and instead steps actively taken to protect and cover up his activities which ultimately had the tragic consequence of many victims not seeing justice, via the criminal process.
Having been instructed in the Southeastern Commission of Investigation into the actions of Bill Kenneally, we at Phoenix Law have witnessed at first hand the benefit to victims they can prove to be. To finally get answers to questions and to be proven right and believed for the first time, is vital to victims healing.
Due to the involvement, or lack thereof, of several public bodies; a commission of investigation is the appropriate legal mechanism to now properly look into the actions of Michael Shine and how they were allowed to occur over such a long period of time. Commissions of Investigations are in place for a reason, to learn from the past and ensure it does not happen again. This matter has never been properly dealt with and we, as a society, have not learned from these failings. It is time for the government to face these failures and ensure that it never happens again.
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:- We welcome the support and assistance from Phoenix Law, on behalf of victims, in pushing for a Commission of Investigation into not just the actions of Michael Shine, but the failings of the public authorities. How that was allowed to go on for so long, without being addressed, and why victims were shamed into silence, was wrong. Truth recovery matters for victims and for future improvements.