A MAN who claimed he was sexually abused by former orthopaedic surgeon Michael Shine during a hospital examination 19 years ago has settled his High Court action for what his lawyer described as a “strong six-figure sum”.
Ronan MacConnoran (35) had sued the 80-year-old former orthopaedic surgeon, the North Eastern Health Board (now the HSE) and a representative of the Medical Missionaries of Mary, former owners of Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital, in Drogheda, Co Louth.
It was alleged the then 16-year-old Mr MacConnoran attended Mr Shine at the hospital in February 1993 complaining of neck pain. Mr MacConnoran alleged, during an examination, Mr Shine sexually assaulted him.
The case was due to be heard before a jury yesterday but John Gordon SC, for Mr MacConnoran, Ardee Road, Dunleer, Co Louth, told the court he was happy to say that, following talks, the matter had been settled. The matter could be struck out against all defendants with an order for costs in favour of his client.
The case was listed for hearing on Tuesday, but on Wednesday Mr Shine’s counsel, Luan Ó Braonain SC, said his client had called his solicitor on Tuesday night indicating there was a fear he had the symptoms of a stroke and he was admitted to the Mater hospital in Dublin where he was due to undergo tests. In those circumstances the case was adjourned to Thursday when the court heard Mr Shine was still awaiting tests.
The case was adjourned again to yesterday when Mr Ó Braonain told Mr Justice Eamon de Valera that a neurologist had seen Mr Shine but was not happy to discharge him. However, the expectation was he would be discharged yesterday afternoon and would be in a position to attend court next Tuesday.
Mr Justice de Valera said he was prepared to start the case in Mr Shine’s absence and said Mr Shine could be provided with transcripts of the evidence when he came to court on Tuesday.
Following an adjournment and talks between the parties, the judge was told the matter had been settled. Afterwards, Mr MacConnoran’s solicitor, Dave Coleman, said his side was delighted with the settlement for a “strong six-figure sum”.