Medical Council Welcomes Publication of Scoping Exercise in Relation to Allegations of Sexual Abuse Made Against Michael Shine

The Medical Council will fully engage and support the Commission of Investigation

Thursday, 16th July 2026: The Medical Council has welcomed the publication of the report from the Scoping Exercise in Relation to Allegations of Sexual Abuse Made Against Michael Shine, conducted by Lorcan Staines SC.

Medical Council CEO, Dr Maria O’Kane, said, “We welcome the publication of this report and its recommendations, in addition to the Government’s swift acceptance of the full recommendations of the report.

“I want to pay tribute to the victims and survivors, who have shown immense courage in speaking out, and whose continued advocacy over many years has been instrumental in bringing these serious concerns to light. For those involved, the issue is not only the heinous crimes committed but the potential for institutions to have blind spots and to fail to act on warning signs over many years.

“The determination of survivors to seek answers has, and will continue to have, a significant positive impact on patient safety into the future.

“The issues raised in this report are serious and deserve thoughtful reflection across the health system and all organisations responsible for protecting patients and maintaining public trust.

“Although our processes and primary legislation have changed significantly in recent years, our focus is on learning from the findings and ensuring that the lessons identified are fully understood. We are committed to fully engaging with and supporting the Commission of Investigation”, concluded Dr O’Kane.