A new probe is taking place into a man described as Europe's most prolific paedophile.Irishformer hospital consultant, Michael Shine, now aged 93, was convicted in 2017 and 2019 ofsexual offences. Later, in 2020, he was convicted of assaulting seven boys between 1971 and 1992. He has served three years in prison. Now, a so-called “scoping exercise” into Shine is to take place, lasting around 16 weeks. It is being conducted by Lorcan Staines SC.
Shine was described in the Dáil, the Irish Parliament, by Sinn Féin Louth TD Joanna Byrne as “the most prolific paedophile in Europe”, with the charity Dignity4Patients supporting more than 390 alleged survivors. It has been reported that more than 400 have come forward. Labour TD Ged Nash said a number have died with no justice.
The Irish health minister, Jennifer Carroll MacNeill, said the total number of individuals purportedly affected by Shine's abuse could be in the high hundreds.
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By the time he retired from working inOur Lady of Lourdes Hospitalin Drogheda - where he was employed from 1964 until 1995, the surgeon was already the subject of multiple allegations of sexual abuse, from as far back as the 1970s.
Ms Byrne suggested that reports were made to hospital authorities as early as 1964, theIrish Timesreported.
Ms Carroll MacNeill said: "I acknowledge the many people affected, including several I have been fortunate enough to meet. Reports suggest that the total number of those impacted is in the high hundreds and it ranges across a huge age span.
"These individuals have demonstrated remarkable bravery as they continue their pursuit of justice for the serious wrongdoing they experienced."
She added regarding the process: "This scoping exercise is designed to ensure that when a public inquiry is established, it has structures and parameters that reflect the needs of children and families of patients, are grounded in evidence and avoid duplication with existing statutory or clinical processes."
Source: Daily Express :: World Feed
