Heroic Cop Fired For Trying Bring Down Pedophile Priest Wins Settlement

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A heroic former police officer who was forced out from his job almost 50 years ago for trying to bring down a pedophile priest, will finally receive a settlement.

Former detective Denis Ryan was forced to give up his 20-year career including his right to a police pension after the Catholic Church and Victoria Police colluded to cover up his investigation into pedophile priest Monsignor John Day.  

Years later, it was revealed that Monsignor Day had raped and abused countless children Mildura in the early 1970s.

Mr. Ryan, who is now 86 years old, reached a confidential settlement with the Victorian Government.

It was reported that Mr. Ryan was living in poverty prior to the settlement.

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'My office will be speaking with him,' Mr. Andrews was quoted.

'If there's more we can do for someone who's an absolute Victorian hero, we will do that.'

Mr. Ryan welcomed the news and said the settlement will make the world of difference to him.

'I don't think I'll ever feel vindicated. It'll never leave my mind. I just think of the victims, they suffered so much more than me,' Mr.Ryan told ABC

READ MORE: Pope Francis Forgives Pedophile Priest With HIV Who Raped 30 Children

"I certainly want to say to the Government of Victoria, led by Daniel Andrews, when he heard this, he leaped into action and finished within a month what has taken 47 years"

Vernon Knight, who handled the negotiations on Mr. Ryan's behalf added: 'At long last, he's had his day.'

In 2015, Mr Ryan testified before the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse, which led to an official apology from Victoria Police in 2016.

Mr. Ryan was awarded an Order of Australia Medal earlier this year.

Former detective Denis Ryan was forced to give up the 20-year career he loved and his right to a police pension after the Catholic Church and Victoria Police blocked his investigation into pedophile priest Monsignor John Day.