Courts / Dublin / Report

Shine to seek bail pending appeal against indecent assault convictions

Date
2017-12-08
Stage
Appeal
Primary locality
Dublin
County
Dublin

Summary

Retired consultant surgeon Michael Shine, aged 85, is seeking bail pending an appeal after being jailed for indecent assault convictions. Shine was convicted in 2017 of indecently assaulting two 15‑year‑old patients in the mid‑1970s at Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital and his private clinic in Drogheda, between 1964 and 1991. He faced eight charges but was acquitted on all but the two convictions. Judge Cormac Quinn described the breach of trust by a senior doctor as one of the most aggravating factors and imposed consecutive 10‑month sentences for each victim. Shine's lawyers applied for a week to manage his affairs and medication, but the judge rejected this. In the Court of Appeal, his barrister Hugh Hartnett SC requested an early bail application, citing Shine's perilous health. Judge George Birmingham set 21 December for the bail application, and Shine was not present for the procedural hearing. Michael Shine pleaded not guilty.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Shine to seek bail pending appeal against indecent assault convictions. Charges or matters: eight charges of indecently assaulting six patients at Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital and at his private clinic, both in Drogheda, Co Louth, on dates between 1964 and 1991; of indecently assaulting two 15-year-old patients in the mid-70s and was acquitted on the remainder of the charges. Procedural stage: appeal. Findings: Acquitted

When:

Case subjects

Michael Shine

Appellant

Charges: eight charges of indecently assaulting six patients at Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital and at his private clinic, both in Drogheda, Co Louth, on dates between 1964 and 1991; of indecently assaulting two 15-year-old patients in the mid-70s and was acquitted on the remainder of the charges (Alleged Or Contested)

Plea: Not guilty

Finding: Acquitted

Outcome: Acquitted; Credit: Collins) Retired consultant surgeon Michael Shine, jailed last month for indecently assaulting two patients in the 1970s, is to seek bail pending an appeal. Judge Quinn imposed consecutive sentences of 10 months for the indecent assault on each of the victims.

Places mentioned

Residence
  • Wellington Road
Secondary Mention
Court Venue
  • Dublin
  • Dublin Circuit Criminal Court
  • Court of Appeal
Facility
  • Lourdes Hospital

Topics

Stage Appeal Violent Crime

Related court reports

Read the original CNI report

Correction or retraction request

If a fact, identity, locality or legal outcome needs review, email the newsroom with this report's details prefilled.

Email a correction request