Courts / Louth / Report

Shine jailed for abusing boys over 20-year period

Date
2019-02-25

Stage
Sentence

Primary locality
Drogheda

County
Louth

Summary

Michael Shine, an 86‑year‑old retired surgeon, was sentenced by Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to four years' imprisonment for one count of indecent assault and 18 months for the remaining 11 counts, all to run concurrently. The charges cover 12 indecent assault offences and one sexual assault committed during medical examinations at Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital and two private clinics in Drogheda between 1971 and 1992. A jury found him guilty after just over six hours of deliberation. Judge Martin Nolan noted the seriousness of the pattern of misbehaviour, the victims' vulnerability and Shine's position of trust as aggravating factors, while his age and health were mitigating. Shine denied any improper conduct and claimed no memory of the incidents. The sentence reflects the court's decision to impose the headline term of four years, with the remaining terms running concurrently. The case remains under appeal for previous convictions. Michael Shine pleaded not guilty.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Shine jailed for abusing boys over 20-year period. Charges or matters: 12 charges of indecent assault and one charge of sexual assault committed during medical examinations at Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital in Drogheda, Co Louth, and at two private clinics in Drogheda on dates between 1971 to 1992. Procedural stage: sentence

When:

1971 to 1992 Incident
1971 to 1988 Incident
2019-02-25 Publication

Case subjects

Michael Shine

Convicted Person

Charges: 12 charges of indecent assault and one charge of sexual assault committed during medical examinations at Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital in Drogheda, Co Louth, and at two private clinics in Drogheda on dates between 1971 to 1992 (Alleged Or Contested)

Plea: Not guilty

Outcome: Judge Martin Nolan sentenced Shine to four years imprisonment for one count of indecent assault. Speaking outside the court after Shine was sentenced, Patrick Cusack (56), one of the injured parties in the case who has waived his right to anonymity, said it was a "good day for me and for all victims of abuse, but particularly the victims of abuse of Michael Shine".