Taoiseach says Government 'will reflect on' ordering public inquiry into paedophile surgeon Michael Shine

More than 200 people have settled civil claims against the Medical Missionaries of Mary religious order that oversaw the running of the hospital in Drogheda where Michael Shine worked. File picture: Collins Courts

The Taoiseach says the Government will “reflect” on calls from victims of one of Ireland’s most prolific paedophiles for a public inquiry, insisting whatever happens next must be victim-centered.

Simon Harris was reacting to calls on Monday from a group of men who were abused by former surgeon Michael Shine for a commission of investigation to establish how he was able to abuse children for so long.

They told The Journal.ie they want a public inquiry to explore what one said was “a well-known, open secret" in the community.

“Everybody knew. Growing up, I played football and they used to say ‘don’t hurt your leg, or you’ll be going up to Shine’,” one of the men said.

Michael Shine worked as a senior registrar and later a consultant at Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital in Drogheda, Co Louth, between 1964 and 1995.

Now aged 93, he was found guilty of assaults against nine boys at two trials, in 2017 and 2019, before serving three years in prison.

More than 200 people have settled civil claims against the Medical Missionaries of Mary religious order that oversaw the running of the hospital at that time.

Mr Harris, who was in Kerry to officially open the €62m Listowel bypass, was asked if he supported the victims’ calls for a public inquiry.

He said: “Michael Shine is a vile paedophile, a prolific abuser who has brought pain and misery to many. His victims have today spoken with courage and in a vivid manner and I want to thank them for that. I think their intervention is really important.

“I am conscious that there have been matters before the courts, civil and criminal, I believe. I am conscious that there have been reports and consideration given by Government departments. 

But in light of the very strong comments by the victims of Shine today, Government will no doubt reflect on this and see what action is next appropriate.

He said he understood their “frustration and upset” at how certain arms of the State have not listened to their calls to date.

“And those words I’m sure don’t even fully capture or come close to capturing the absolute pain and horror that they have experienced,” he said.

The Taoiseach said he was "conscious" that when certain court processes were under way and criminal investigations were under way, that can cut across other processes that understandably people may wish to explore.

"There is always that balance between not wishing to do anything to prejudice a matter that is before the court or indeed subject to investigation," he said.

“Having said that, now I think the victims’ request that we will now take stock of where we are now at and as a Government consider these matters, is something we will now reflect on. We must always take a victim-centered approach."