Retired Surgeon Michael Shine has been jailed for four years for indecently assaulting young boys during medical examinations.

The 86-year-old with an address in Ballsbridge, Dublin was convicted earlier this month of indecently assaulting seven boys over the course of 30 years.

During the trial seven men gave evidence of their abuse at the hands of Michael Shine when they were young boys.

They described being groped by him during medical examinations – one recalled how he wanted to scream but he couldn’t.

Retired surgeon, 86 year old, Michael Shine has been jailed for four years for indecently assaulting young boys during medical examinations. The Judge said age is no bar to sentencing.

— Stephanie Rohan (@StephGrogan3) February 25, 2019

The abuse happened at Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital in Drogheda and two private clinics in the town between 1971 and 1992.

Michael Shine denied the charges and told the trial he has no memory whatsoever of treating any of the boys.

His barrister asked for him not to receive a custodial sentence citing his age and deteriorating health.

Handing down the sentence this afternoon Judge Martin Nolan said Shine’s age is no bar to sentencing.

Patrick Cusack and his wife Julie Corcoran outside the CCJ this afternoon

In a victim impact statement, 56-year-old Patrick Cusack said he hadn’t had a proper night’s sleep for 45 years until the guilty verdicts came back.

Speaking outside court this afternoon, he said he was pleased with the sentence.

"A good day for me and for all victims of abuse but particularly the victims of the abuse of Michael Shine," he said.

"The sentence didn't really make too much difference because the convictions was the most important thing.

"But Judge Nolan delivered his sentence and I feel it is most, most appropriate."

Reporting from Stephanie Rohan at the Criminal Courts of Justice

In a harrowing account, one of his victims, Patrick Cusack, spoke to Ivan Yates on The Hard Shoulder about what he experienced.