Surgeon struck off over indecent assaults on male patients

The Medical Council tonight revealed the allegations that led to disgraced surgeon Michael Shine being struck off.

Mr Shine, who was taken off the medical register in November, abused his position by making sexual advances to three young male patients, it said.

The council’s fitness to practise committee found he indecently assaulted the youngsters, made indecent suggestions to them, and carried out improper medical examinations or treatments.

It also ruled he failed to treat them with dignity or respect, breached their trust, and brought the medical profession into disrepute.

A spokeswoman for the Medical Council said although no criminal action is being taken in respect of two of the three cases, copies of any transcripts or reports would be provided to the gardaí or the Director of Public Prosecutions if requested.

In October 2003, Mr Shine, of Wellington Road in Dublin 4, was acquitted of indecently and sexually assaulting six men when they were teens.

Three years later he also won a High Court battle to prevent the fitness to practise committee holding an inquiry into claims which involved nine male patients.

But the Supreme Court later overruled the decision and the committee began examining the allegations, which dated back to 1964 and 1994, against the once-respected surgeon.

Of the claims by nine men, it found in favour of three and the former consultant surgeon at Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital in Drogheda – who had 38 years of medical practise – was stuck off the medical register for professional misconduct.

He has since been ordered to pay the costs of the successful Medical Council Supreme Court appeal against him.