Courts / Louth / Report

Surgeon tells trial he has "no memory" of complianants

Date
2019-02-04

Stage
Trial

Primary locality
Drogheda

County
Louth

Summary

In a Dublin Circuit Criminal Court hearing, 86‑year‑old retired surgeon Michael Shine pleaded not guilty to thirteen indecent assault charges linked to medical examinations at Our Lady of Lourdes hospital in Drogheda and two private clinics. On the thirteenth day of the trial, Shine told the jury he had no memory of any of the seven complainants and denied any improper conduct during examinations. He explained that he began working at Lourdes in March 1964 and continued until 1995, and that he had written a paper on misdiagnosis of testicular torsion. Shine argued that touching testicles is necessary during such exams, that touching the penis is unavoidable, and that he could not have masturbated a young patient in a hospital bed. He also dismissed Bernadette Sullivan's campaign as "over, over the top." The trial was set to continue the next day before Judge Martin Nolan and a jury.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Surgeon tells trial he has "no memory" of complianants. Charges or matters: thirteen charges of indecent assault allegedly committed during medical examinations at Our Lady of Lourdes hospital in Drogheda, Co Louth and at two private clinics in Drogheda. Procedural stage: trial

When:

2019-02-04 Publication

Why: He said it is not necessary to touch the penis, but because it is beside the testicles a doctor cannot really avoid touching it. CNI source report

Case subjects

Michael Shine

Defendant

Charges: thirteen charges of indecent assault allegedly committed during medical examinations at Our Lady of Lourdes hospital in Drogheda, Co Louth and at two private clinics in Drogheda (Alleged Or Contested)

Plea: Not guilty