By Philip Ryan - Irish Independent - 10.09.2024 [IRELAND - [Public Inquiry]
Health Minister Stephen Donnelly has sought fresh legal advice on a damning report about the abuse carried out by paedophile doctor Michael Shine.
The minister asked Attorney General Rossa Fanning to examine previous legal advice given to a previous government after it was presented with a report on Shine’s abuse of young boys in Co Louth.
The Irish Independent understands Mr Donnelly also asked officials in the Department of Health to review the files on the matter, and is keen for the report to be published, if possible.
The report, known as the Drogheda Review, was carried out by retired High Court judge TC Smyth in 2009 and he recommended that it should not be published on the basis it could prejudice civil or criminal cases. The then attorney general’s advice at the time supported this position.
Shine served three years in prison for indecent and sexual assault of seven boys that took place between 1971 and 1992.
He was released from prison in February 2022. Dozens of civil cases have also been taken against the Congregation of the Medical Missionaries of Mary, which ran the hospital in Drogheda, Co Louth, where Shine worked. In the wake of a number of victims of Shine going public last month, Mr Donnelly decided to revisit the issue of whether the 2009 report could now be published and asked officials to seek a fresh legal opinion from the Attorney General’s Office.
Last month, Taoiseach Simon Harris said he would consider whether it was appropriate to launch a public inquiry into the abuse carried out by Shine.
He said the Government will “reflect” on calls for a public inquiry into alleged sexual abuse by the “prolific abuser”.
“I think the victims’ request that we would now take stock of where we are now at, and as a Government, to consider these matters, is something we will now reflect on,” he added.
The comments came after four men, Gerard Murray (53), Ian Armstrong (60), Larry Torris (40) and Cian Murray (68), spoke to the The Journal about their sexual abuse at the hands of the convicted paedophile doctor when he worked in Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital.
Labour Party TD Ged Nash, who represents the Louth constituency, previously called for a commission of investigation to be established by the Government after it emerged the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) decided not to follow up on 25 additional claims made against the doctor. 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:- Victims welcome Minister Donnelly's request. However, they want this report released as part of a Commission of Investigation into the actions of the Medical Missionaries of Mary, Gardaí, DPP, hospital, medical council, and other entities tied to Michael Shine. Only a Commission with Statutory Powers can properly examine their failure to protect children.
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