Minister accused of scuppering abuse payouts

Health Minister James Reilly has been accused of scuppering compensation payouts to the alleged victims of disgraced medic Michael Shine.

Support group Dignity 4 Patient accused Mr Reilly of needlessly delaying agreed settlements in 112 civil cases.

Mr Shine, a former consultant, was previously acquitted in court of indecent assault on teenage boys while working at Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital in Drogheda. He was later struck off the medical register for professional misconduct. He denies all allegations of abuse.