Paedophile Dr Michael Shine branded ‘Jimmy Savile of Ireland’ as victims demand full public inquiry

The 90-year-old medic served three years of a four-year sentence for sexually assaulting multiple children

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Convicted paedophile Dr Michael Shine has been branded the Jimmy Savile of Ireland by his victims.

On the second anniversary of his release from prison, the Dignity4Patients group which represents over 300 people who allege they were abused by him, demanded a full public inquiry into the scandal.

The 90-year-old medic served three years of a four-year sentence for sexually assaulting multiple children.

But he has never been prosecuted for abusing hundreds of others while working for decades as a surgeon in Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital, Drogheda.

The CEO of the victims’ group, Adrienne Reilly fumed: “Remember Michael Shine is Ireland’s Jimmy Saville (sic).

“When his victims reported what happened they were told they were the only one and not believed, just like the Postmasters scandal in Britain.

“We are calling on the Justice Minister Helen McEntee, the Health Minister Stephen Donnelly and Finance Minister Michael McGrath to agree a way forward on a public inquiry into the sexual abuse of the largest paedophile and abuser of hundreds of mostly young boys, in the history of the state.

“It will be two years tomorrow (Friday) since he was released in a covert manner from the Midlands Prison without having to face his victims.

“Many of them are still waiting for justice and can not understand while they are being ignored.

“Today is Victims of Crime Day and we will see and hear statements from politicians in relation to their commitment to the victims of crime.

“However they need to actually listen to victims and be serious in their commitment to provide proper, real and effective accountable justice such as the establishment of a public inquiry for our victims.”

Out of the 350-plus victims attached to the Dignity4Patients group, only seven have had their day in court.

But 200 have secured civil settlements for as little as €20,000 on average and forced to sign non-disclosure agreements.

Another 46 were refused criminal prosecutions due to a DPP error in not notifying Shine’s legal team in time.

Shine was convicted in 2019 of groping seven boys in his care during medical examinations at the Lourdes Hospital on dates between 1971 to 1992.

The victims were primarily aged between 12 and 15 at the time but one was 16.

He was found guilty of all indecent assault charges and one sexual assault.

The surgeon was given a four-year sentence.

Since his release, Shine has been living in Dublin city centre and a number of his victims have bumped into him walking around St. Stephen’s Green