Government 'buried medic sex abuse claims report'

The Government was accused today of burying a report into allegations of sexual abuse against struck-off medic Michael Shine.

Support group Dignity 4 Patients said the decision not to publish the Drogheda Review had caused patients further distress.

The group, which met Health Minister Mary Harney to demand that the findings are made public, said more than 200 people now allege abuse against Shine, who worked at Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital, Drogheda for 30 years up to 1994.

Bernadette Sullivan, a former nurse who founded the group, said she believed the Government did not want to deal with suspected sexual abuse in the health system.

She said she had grave reservations about the review process.

“One can only draw the conclusion that they are burying this case,” Ms Sullivan said.

“That they are completely not wanting to look at it.”

It is understood up to 120 cases of alleged abuse are being investigated by the Garda.

Former High Court Judge TC Smyth was appointed by Ms Harney to hear complaints made against Shine to decide if a full inquiry would benefit patient safety.

But during a meeting with the Minister the group was told Mr Justice Smyth stated that the report should not be made public due to possible criminal prosecutions.

The Minister said the judge did not recommend an inquiry as it would be of no public benefit.

Ms Sullivan said Ms Harney consulted with Justice Minister Dermot Ahern who said the criminal investigations were at an advanced stage.

The group is still demanding an acknowledgement that the abuse took place, a full apology, redress, educational support and safeguards to ensure patient safety.

But she said Judge Smyth’s efforts have not helped them achieve these goals.

“It brings no closure to any of our members,” she said.

“In actual fact I would say it has actually brought further distress.”

Ms Sullivan said the voices of the alleged victims have not been heard and Ms Harney’s decision imposes an unjust and deafening silence on all affected.

But the group’s founder vowed they would not give up their fight to have the truth exposed.

“We are now calling on the Minister for Health to engage with Dignity 4 Patients to bring closure in a transparent and respectful manner and to bring vindication to all the members of Dignity 4 Patients,” she said.

In 2003 Shine, who is now in his late 70s, was acquitted of 11 counts of indecent assault on six teenage boys between 1974 and 1982.

But five years later he was struck off the medical register for professional misconduct when the Medical Council found he committed assaults on three male patients and undertook inappropriate medical examinations.

He was arrested at his home in Dublin city in May this year and taken to Drogheda Garda Station for questioning before being released without charge.

Sinn Féin Health Spokesman Caoimhghin O Caolain backed Ms Sullivan’s allegation that the report was being buried, branding it unacceptable.

“I think any effort that falls short of full exposure of the facts and truth, where there is an opportunity in an open public forum to examine the full facts and the truth, that it is not an exaggeration to say that it is an effort to bury that fact and that truth,” he said.