The new scoping enquiry into disgraced child molestor doctor Michael Shine has been warmly welcomed by local politicians.
The long awaited investigation as revealed by Drogheda Life yesterday was announced by the Government earlier today after being approved by the Cabinet.
So far 387 victims of the notorious paedophile have come forward and yet 93 year old Shine only served three years in prison for his crimes.
Many of his victims believe the Shine Scandal is bigger than the Jimmy Saville child abuse horror in the UK and want answer as to why it was covered up here and not investigated years ago.
Welcoming the new probe the Drogheda Labour TD Ged Nash, who long campaigned on the issue said:”This move represents significant progress for victims and survivors. It is an important step in finally getting to the truth about what happened to them and why the abuse was allowed to continue largely unchallenged in health service settings for decades.
The Louth Fine Gael TD Paula Butterly said she is pleased the Government has agreed to a time bound scoping exercise to be undertaken by an independent person into the abuse of victims under the care of Michael Shine.
She stated:” The timebound nature of this scoping exercise is a welcome announcement as it will ensure that action is taken to move forward on the issue, and victims’ voices are prioritised in its procedure. It is imperative that the State protects victims of abuse and listens to their stories.”
Senator Alison Comyn said the new inquiry is an important and welcome step and she hopes it will ultimately lead to what is truly needed, a full statutory inquiry.
She said:”Today’s announcement marks a significant step towards uncovering the full extent of the horrific crimes committed by this vile man.
“The survivors deserve to know how this abuse was allowed to continue for so many years. They are seeking peace of mind and that can only be achieved through truth and accountability.”
The Dignity4Patients group which represents all Shine ‘s victims hopes the enquiry will give them the answer they need.
It said in a statement:”Victims hope this process will finally provide answers to long-standing questions about how their sexualabuse was handled by Our Lady of Lourdes hospital, the religious order running the hospital, the Medical
Missionaries of Mary, An Garda Síochána, and successive Departments of Health.”
“It is now 49 years since the first complaint of sexual abuse by Michael Shine was reported to hospital authorities in 1977. This campaign has been ongoing for 32 years, first initiated by whistleblower nurse Bernadette Sullivan.”
Cianan Murray, who first reported his abuse to An Garda Siochana in 1995, said, “It is a bittersweet day – long
overdue. Many victims are sadly no longer with us, and all have endured decades of trauma, silence and suffering.”
