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AN ALLEGED VICTIM of Michael Shine has said that he will never forget the paedophile doctor’s “wry smile” as he was being sexually abused.
Ian Russell, now aged 52, told The Journal: “I can still see the look on his face, the wry smile, like he was having fun.”
The Drogheda born archaeologist said that he feels distressed anytime he sees a photograph of his abuser.
“I always get post traumatic stress when I see his picture, because every time I see his picture he is literally a foot away from me…I’m there with him again.”
Ian was operated on by Michael Shine in July 1990 and subsequently he had a number of follow-up appointments in the outpatients unit at Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital. It was during the final appointment that he says the sexual assault took place.
He recalled how he felt immediately afterwards: “You know that it’s wrong, but you don’t really have the guts or gumption to highlight it or to challenge it or to say something.
“Even if you did say something, nobody would believe you, you would be slapped down because that was the culture at the time. The nuns still had the hospital.”
He made a statement to gardaí, but as was the case with many other victims, the DPP did not proceed with a criminal prosecution.
“I remember sitting in the garda station putting my complaint on paper and then you get a phone call telling you that there’s not enough evidence and you’re left thinking, ‘Why did I go through it all then?’
“Even now we are not believed. We have to use the word ‘alleged’ which I really hate.”
He was one of the 200 victims that were awarded redress through civil proceedings, but he said that obtaining that settlement was a degrading experience.
“For the redress scheme, I remember going up to St James’ and having to meet with a psychologist and all sorts of things and he does a report (saying) ‘yes this man is affected.’ You have to prove yourself.”
For Ian, the purpose of a public inquiry is to be heard, to be listened to and to be believed.”
A leading human rights law firm acting for the group is now seeking a Commission of Investigation to probe claims that health and religious authorities failed to stop the abuse.
On Monday, Phoenix Law announced its involvement in the campaign.
Much of the abuse perpetrated by Shine, now 93, took place largely while he worked at Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital in Drogheda from 1968 to 1995.
Hundreds of men claim that they were abused by Shine over decades, but in 2024, he is a free man after serving just three years in prison.
Following trials in 2017 and 2019, more charges were brought but a Court of Appeal ruling citing “cumulative factors” – including Shine’s age and health, and a ‘misstep’ by the Director of Public Prosecutions – meant the case was never tried.
To date, more than 200 victims have settled civil claims against the Medical Missionaries of Mary. Many of the men were instructed to sign non-disclosure agreements, which meant that they could not talk to or support one another as they tried to recover from the trauma.
Taoiseach Simon Harris said on Monday that government will discuss calls for a public inquiry and commended the victims for speaking “with courage and in a vivid manner”.
“I want to thank them for that,” said Harris.
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I won’t be voting for any of those parties.
You’ll be glad to know that FG are topping the opinion polls.
@9QRixo8H: The real poll will take place tomorrow.
@Gavan Hogan:
Unfortunately Gavan, he might be right.
Although I personally think SF will shade it nationally
@Gavan Hogan: cool, I will.
Not one mention of crime. Antisocial behaviour is absolutely rampant in inner city Dublin. Drug dealing is quite literally on every street corner in Dublin 1. Kids on scramblers rallying up and down through traffic on bikes they’ve either robbed or bought with the proceeds of crime. Ffs the only party I see mention antisocial behaviour is those absolute loons in the national party. Why do I have to look to the far right ethnonationalists before I find a party that takes crime seriously? Can anybody recommend local councillors in the inner city that focus on crime reduction? Advocates for more prisons or reopening old ones? The soft touch approach has clearly failed for all to see.
Oh wait, more fool me, just saw the paragraph where labour wants “wardens” handing out fines for antisocial beheviour. I’m sure that’ll stop it! LOL. How many fines were paid to councils for things like dog poop in the past 4 years? A quick Google search shows 1 (yes, one in 4 years). Why do they think fining people for this will help?
@Sean Stevenson: but, how many were faced to clean up.before been fined?
@Sean Stevenson: very well said and so true.
We all know how much a promise from a politician is worth. Why not check the promises they made previously and how they’ve lived up to them. Or not.
More false promises that mean nothing to the people of Ireland
Blowing up a school now Israel…what happened…miss the orphanage? Ah well not to worry, plenty time for that!
@Ulysses 31: Ah bless…have I got to the racist thicko…good.
@damien leen: Maybe if Hamas stops building tunnels and hiding flammable ammo under schools and kids bedrooms. It’s either Israel blowing it up or Hamas firing those rockets at Israel ( good thing there’s the Iron dome) – I know what I would do.
Politics seem to attract poor specimens of society, ie, accomplished sleight-of-hand artists and polished liars. It’s best to vote them out regularly and not leave them too long in government!
FF was the largest party since 2019 local election, will they continue to be the largest after tomorrow or will people vote change? #VoteTomorrow.
Apathy and cynicism will be the ruin of us all.
None of them mention ensuring economic growth or how much extra they will tax and misspend??
@Eric: economic growth is not something county councils are exceptionally renowned for. They should have more powers to attract investment though.
As for taxing… County councils only collect commercial rates I think? Happy to be corrected if I’m wrong
It’s great that they can get rid or lower taxes and yet increase services
Could probably have bundled most of the looney parties here into one doc to save time. That document could then more easily be put through a shredder and recycled into toilet paper or perhaps bedding for someone who maybe keeps rodents as a pet.
Lol! so a whole pile of nothing? not a road, bridge, train, etc. ‘empower local council’… to be against any national plans? It’s 2 steps back, if we’ve learned anything it’s that we cant solve the problems facing us, putting more people infront of these problems will make it even harder.
have your say