Imagine in this age of instant gratification, having to wait for something, anything for 45 years. Then think what it must be like to have to wait so long for something as fundamental as the truth.
Former Victoria Police detective, Denis Ryan, turned 86 last month.
In 1972, he was forced out of the Victoria Police Force after trying to bring the pedophile priest, Monsignor John Day, to justice.
Forty years later, Denis came to my home and together we wrote the book of that appalling story, Unholy Trinity: The Hunt for the Pedophile Priest Monsignor John Day”.
At the time I cautioned Denis about setting his expectations too high. The subject material of the book was so disturbing I doubted it would be a bestseller. To publisher Allen & Unwin’s credit they published anyway.
Full; column published here.
JTI, I read the book in stages, I had to put it down and then go back to it after a few days. As you said over the wall, a hard read, but a very good read. My childhood in country Victoria was good and although my parents made us go to Sunday School ( a pretext to have some to themselves if you get my meaning) I, nor my siblings, nor my friends, ever encountered any body like this Monsignor Day. We were aware though that there was some corruption in the Victorian Police, but again nothing like this came to our attention. My point is, when I read Unholy Trinity I could not imagine what it would have been like for these young people. Their lives have been ruined and many have resorted to suicide out of sheer desperation. Denis Ryan is brave and courageous, JTI you should be commended for bringing these events out into the open, it would not have been easy hearing the stories and writing about them. But how many untold stories are still out there?
A friend of mine told me a few days ago that her brother-in- law recently told the family that he had been molested by their local priest from the time he was 11 until 16. He has had numerous marriage breakdowns, couldn’t hold down a job, but it wasn’t until both parents had died that he could tell his siblings because he thought no one would believe him.
Many victims will need assistance for the rest of their lives. There is a dollar cost to this epidemic of paedophilia and the cover ups and the police corruption. And we are about to pay it.
Good stuff – I see Geoffrey Rush has launched a defamation action against the Daily Telegraph.
Ryan is a true hero. Being right can be costly. Any chance of Victoria finally cutting him a big cheque?
And kudos to you for helping him tell his story. It was painful to read your book–must have been hell to write it.
Talks are underway. I am very pleased at the access we have had to the Vic Govt. High level, informal talks. I hope the right decision will be made soon.
It’s really sad that he has had to wait this long for justice – that comes at the end of his life. But at least he lived to see it happen and will no doubt rest easier – as will those dear to him.
Sounds like the Victoria Police Force was very “religious” way back in the 70’s, Mr Insider, provided of course you were the “right” religion. Bravo to people like Detective Ryan for trying to do the job he was paid to do and that was to bring criminals to Justice. What a shame it worked out the way it did. Great read Mr Insider.
So too was the Queensland police back in the 70s. A lot of good Irish Catholic upholders of the law. Oh the stories I could tell….
Hope he gets a gong and restitution at the very least.
OAM required
Jack, how many involved in this persecution are still alive? Even if they are suffering from dementia they should still hang.
They’re all gone. Denis is the last man standing.
It’s not really fair that they died in their own beds and not a jail cell. Jail would have been a far worse punishment, years of it.
But the nation has a massive debt to you and others like you for those that you have saved Denis. There would be thousands more damaged or dead out there if it were not for you and your like.
One man cant tear down a dark fortress by himself but he can inspire and that’s the important thing.
I agree JB; a book whose timing and impact were like a guided missile.
Not sure if that’s how Jack planned it or whether it was just good luck, but in other times it might have sunk without a trace. Now it’s been read into the public record to stand permanently as a reminder of something that should never happen again.
Jack – thanks for keeping this sordid story in the public eye, and it is very good to see Denis Ryan finally vindicated, albeit 45 years late.
Just one slip in spelling, which has probably been brought to your attention a few times – you say, in the full column “He’d befriended them and often sort them out for information.” I gather that the old style of policing involving “sorting” someone out wasn’t Denis’ style, rather he would have “…sought them out…”.
Yes, I see. Damn.
The victim statements at the end of the book are harrowing, one of the few books I’ve only read once and not because it isn’t a good book it’s just a tough read.
No way has the Catholic Church or other involved institutions paid their dues.
They are harrowing indeed Tracy.
A very brave and tough man is Denis Ryan. It would be very few people who have that strength of character to face daily ostracism just by doing one’s job. Most people would rollover, take the promotion and pay rise and find a way to justify it to themselves. No doubt he and his family suffered as a result. I wish him good health and an even longer life.
Amen to that.