He dedicated his life to fighting for justice for victims of child sexual abuse in the Catholic Church. At 93, hero detective Denis Ryan has died

Denis Ryan was forced out of Victoria Police in the 70s for his attempts to investigate child sexual abuse in the Catholic Church. At 93, he has passed away.

Denis Ryan, 93, died this week more than 50 years after he resigned from Victoria Police when his investigation into prominent Mildura priest Monsignor John Day was shut down and buried. Picture: Jessica Shapiro

A hero detective who was forced out of the police force over his attempts to investigate child sexual abuse in the Catholic Church has died.

Denis Ryan, 93, died this week more than 50 years after he resigned from Victoria Police when his investigation into prominent Mildura priest Monsignor John Day was shut down and buried.

Despite interviewing 12 alleged victims he was told to drop the case and Day was never charged.

Ex policeman Denis Ryan straight out of the Academy. Picture: Supplied

Ryan blamed a “Catholic Mafia” he said had infiltrated Victoria Police and was working to protect predator priests.

He later received formal apologies, and compensation, from Victoria Police and the state government.

Author Peter Hoysted, who co-authored a book with Ryan about his experience, described him as “quite simply the best man I have ever met”.

“No sanctimony, a wicked sense of humour and courage to burn,” he said on social media.

Former Mildura MP, Ali Cupper, said Ryan was a man of “deep values, unshakeable resolve and unfathomable courage”.

“He took on powerful men and institutions who committed unspeakable, despicable acts,” she said.

“He pursued truth, justice and the protection of our children (many of whom are now our parents and grandparents) – who so desperately needed someone to save them.

“Denis stepped up and spoke for those kids when so many others couldn’t or wouldn’t.

“It was the highest honour to call him a friend. The world doesn’t quite feel the same without him.”

Ryan told the Royal Commission he had lived with decades of regret over police’s handling of the Day investigation. Picture: Jessica Shapiro

In a submission to the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse, Ryan said he first encountered Day with his pants down in a car with two prostitutes in 1956.

“He was pissed to the eyeballs with his strides around his ankles,” Mr Ryan recalled.

Despite taking him back to the local station Day was released without charge.

He said he was told: “you don’t charge priests or you will be in more trouble than enough. You don’t pick fights that you can’t win, and you don’t charge a priest short of murder.”

Ryan told the Royal Commission he had lived with decades of regret over police’s handling of the Day investigation.

“Hardly a day goes by that I don’t think of the police force and what they did to the kids who were the victims of Monsignor Day,” he said.

“Those children were being mentally and physically destroyed by Day and the police protected him.”

Day died in 1978.

Originally published as He dedicated his life to fighting for justice for victims of child sexual abuse in the Catholic Church. At 93, hero detective Denis Ryan has died