Council rejects Shine probe refusal

HEALTH Minister Mary Harney’s refusal to allow a state inquiry into the alleged abuse of almost 200 people by former doctor Michael Shine has been unanimously rejected by a county council.

All members of Louth County Council, which includes six Government party officials, have called for a full inquiry into Mr Shine’s actions while working at Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital in Drogheda.

The motion, which was put forward by Labour councillor and Drogheda deputy mayor Gerald Nash, directly contradicts Ms Harney’s decision last week to refuse a formal investigation into the case and keep the findings of a commissioned report into the matter secret.