Sign in. It’s quick, free and it’s up to you.
An account is an optional way to support the work we do. Find out more.
SINN FÉIN’S HEALTH Spokesperson David Cullinane has today backed the calls for a 2009 review into the abuse of paedophile Michael Shine to be published and for a commission of investigation to be set up.
This week, a number of Shine’s victims have waived their anonymity for the first time to speak to The Journal about the abuse they suffered at the hands of the former-surgeon.
Shine, a doctor at Our Lady’s of Lourdes Hospital in Drogheda from 1964 to 1995, abused hundreds of boys and men and in 2019 was found guilty of assaulting nine boys.
He is now a free man after serving three years in prison and many of his victims are now calling for a public inquiry as a means of justice.
Speaking to reporters at Leinster House today, Cullinane supported the calls made by Shine’s victims.
Cullinane said he does not think the reasons that were given by the Government for the 2009 review not being published still stand today.
“I spoke to a victim this morning myself, and this person was somebody who contributed to the 2009 review. He’s very angry that the report was not published. He was one of 130 men who gave testimony in good faith. There were reasons given, as we know in the past, historically, as to why that report wasn’t published. I’m not sure that still holds water today,” Cullinane said.
Sinn Féin’s health spokesperson David Cullinane backs calls made by victims of former surgeon Michael Shine for a commission of investigation to be set up & for the 2009 inquiry into his abuse to be made public.
— Jane Matthews (@janeematthews) August 22, 2024
He says first & foremost the Taoiseach must meet with the victims. pic.twitter.com/MBgPz12Ia7
Cullinane said transparency and a victim-led approach is needed and called on the Taoiseach Simon Harris to meet with victims of Shine, as they have requested.
Earlier this week, the Taoiseach said he or someone else from Government would meet with them over the coming weeks.
“The Taoiseach in the last couple of days as I understand is that he said he wants to meet with the families, but he’s made a lot of promises to meet people. He needs to do it. He needs to meet with the victims. He needs to listen to what they want. If a commission of investigation is what the victims need, absolutely that should be put in place,” Cullinane said today.
He added: “I don’t see at this point any reason why that report in 2009 shouldn’t be published. I mean, if you have victims who in good faith, gave evidence and contributed to the report, and yet they themselves haven’t seen it, aside from the fact that the public hasn’t seen it, I think is wrong.”
Cullinane added that there cannot be any “passing the buck” between the Minister for Health and the Taoiseach, a reference to criticism by the Taoiseach of Health Minister Stephen Donnelly earlier this week after he distanced himself from the decision on whether to publish the 2009 review.
“The Government has to make a decision. Simon Harris is the Taoiseach. He leads Government, and he should make the decision,” Cullinane said.
He added that a lot of victims were angered by the Taoiseach saying that he needs to take stock of the issues surrounding the abuse by Shine.
“How much longer does the Taoiseach have to stock take on all of these issues? He needs to meet with the victims, first and foremost, and then, from that deliver on the wishes of those victims, because we all know the horror stories of what came from all of the court cases so far,” Cullinane said.
To embed this post, copy the code below on your site
The issue was the response before the storm.
There is no shame in going to the EU for assistance before the event, not running around like headless chickens after.
Billy Dooley was the best they could roll out on tv last night to defend the response.
Shameful
Perhaps they should also discuss a national plan to put power lines underground in areas where it is still possible.
@Tony Doran: Hard to know how much that could end up costing in the long run Tony. The last time an underground cable was discovered during a project it cost an extra €250,000…
@Tony Doran: There are 150,000 kilometres of overhead in this country,on a par with other European countries…..do you suggest putting 150,000 more cables underground?….Countries the world over that have way worse storms and more frequently still use overheads…..the cost would be astronomical……but this nonsense suggestion is wheeled out every time.
too late. PR stunt.
ask also yourself why it’s the same scenario every time and why so many trees were on the road and cutting electricity where they could have been maintained and cut before it happened. no retributions will be made. loosers.
I tend to keep about 20 grand in an account for emergencies, I wasn’t affected by the storm so i’ll spend it on holidays again this year.
@brian o’leary: Are you not going to list your 7 holidays like you normally do? Everyone loves a bragger/blagger as you know Brian. Especially those who can’t afford holidays. They live vicariously through your waffles
@Harry Paisley: You haven’t a washer anyway we know that, mammy is bringing you to butlins again, she loves the rides
@Freda Peeple: with the two ski trips this year it’ll only be 6 holidays I’m afraid, nothing like Zermatt to eat into the budget, 40 euro for a pizza for christ sake!
@brian o’leary: stop taking up space here!!!!
@Helena Camella , no I’ll continue to take advantage of the cheap entertainment while saving for my next trip, scuba diving in Thailand in a few months.
A proper tree management system is needed urgently. Councils throughout the country should be responsible for this. Trees on private property should also have a height limit. I know tree huggers won’t like this but tough!!!
Lol! gonna have a chat about the weather… Dilldy iiie
Live in towns, you’ll be sorted sooner.
@brian o’leary: ya have more of a chance of surviving in the country side than the built up areas if something worse happens like a major sunstorm that overloads and destroys all electrical and electronic stuff. We can get water, grow food and heat and cook with wood or turf what could you do?, go crying to the government for food and water and hold your hand along with all the other city slickers.
@brendan C5: but it’s you lot that are off the grid now,not us..cry harder,we can’t hear you country boy.
@brendan C5: I’d probably just move down to my cottage in wexford, its on a few arces of woodland near the sea, grow a few veg, catch a few fish, plenty of firewood.
Trees should be banned. Wind should be banned!
have your say