WARNING – This episode deals with child sex abuse. It will not be suitable for all listeners.

Father John Day was a Catholic priest who graduated from Corpus Christi College in Melbourne in 1927. Corpus Christi is one of Australia’s leading priesthood training colleges. Day was given his first parish in 1936 at Colac. He transferred to numerous parishes around Victoria, before being sent to Apollo Bay, a coastal town in Southern Victoria. It was during his two years at Apollo Bay that Day first met police officer Denis Ryan.

Denis Ryan joined the Victorian police force in 1952. He had a strong Catholic faith and was a regular churchgoer with his family. Out of the academy, he was sent to Russell Street police headquarters where he did various duties and learned the ropes of policing. All new recruits were sent to Russell Street at the time.

After finishing up at Russell Street, Denis cut his teeth working on patrol in St Kilda, only 8 kilometers outside of Melbourne’s central business district. It was 1956. St Kilda was known as the red light district area of Melbourne at the time. Denis had been a police officer for four years. Father John Day had been a Catholic priest for 29 years. Day was in charge of the Apollo Bay Parish but had found his way into St Kilda for the night, about a 2 hour and 40-minute drive away from home….

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Our episodes deal with serious and often distressing incidents. If you feel at anytime you need support, please contact your local crisis centre. Some suggestions for confidential support for men, women and children:

AUSTRALIA:

Lifeline Crisis Support: 13 11 14

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Rape & Domestic Violence Services: 1800 737 732

Men's Line: 1300 78 99 78

Headspace: Youth Mental Health Foundation: see headspace.org.au for your local centre

USA:

Distress &  Lifeline: 1800 273 8255

Crisis Text Line: text HOME to 741 741

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Samaritans support network: 116 123

National Stalking Helpline: 0808 802 0300

CANADA:

For a list of Canadian crisis centres: https://thelifelinecanada.ca/help/call/

NEW ZEALAND:

Lifeline: 0800 543354

Depression Helpline: 0800 111 757 (Text 4202)

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CREDITS

EPISODE RESEARCH AND NARRATION:

Episode researched and narrated by Anonymous Host

MUSIC:

‘Flatline intro’ and ‘Come play with me’ intro and outro www.dl-sounds.com

All other music and audio clean up performed by Mike Migas and Andrew Joslyn 

OTHER:

Logo design by Paulina Szymanska

RESOURCES

BOOK:

Unholy Trinity – Book by Dennis Ryan

ARTICLES:

They destroyed Denis Ryan’s police career. Now they admit he was right all along – The Sydney Morning Herald

Police to apologise to detective over cover-up of child abuse investigation – The Age Victoria

Child abuse royal commission: Victoria Police admits ‘Catholic mafia’ covered up allegations of abuse – ABC News