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Complainant tells surgeon's trial he has waited 46 years to give his account
Summary
In a trial in Drogheda, a 46‑year‑old complainant testified that retired surgeon Michael Shine, aged 85, had indecently assaulted him in 1971 during a hospital treatment for a motorbike injury. The witness described Shine opening his trousers, touching his testicles, and the complainant reacting by leaving the room. He said he later told his girlfriend, now wife, about the assault. A second witness, aged 18 in 1976, recounted a similar incident after a traffic collision, where Shine touched his genitals while the witness was lying on a bed. A third witness, aged 15‑16 in 1975‑76, described being restrained on a bed, having a blanket and restraints applied, and Shine groping his genitals while a female assistant was present. All witnesses claimed they had no memory of Shine's presence in hospital records and denied any medical justification for the conduct. The trial has not yet reached a verdict.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Complainant tells surgeon's trial he has waited 46 years to give his account. Procedural stage: trial
When:
- 1964 and 1991 Incident
- 1964 and 1965 Other
- 1970 and 1972 Other
- 1975 and 1976 Other
- 1988 and 1991 Other
- 1973 and 1974 Other
- 2017-10-19 Publication
Why: He said that he contacted the Dignity For Patients group because he wanted "justice for what Dr Shine had done to me". CNI source report
Case subjects
Defendant
Places mentioned
Topics
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