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Cornwall Public Inquiry

Abuse claims thrived: lawyer

   

Cornwall Standard Freeholder     

27 February 2009

Posted By TREVOR PRITCHARD

    

An "era of ignorance" allowed rumours to spread throughout Cornwall that a clan of pedophiles was sexually abusing children, a church lawyer argued Thursday.

 

David Sherriff-Scott told the Cornwall Public Inquiry there was no evidence to suggest Cornwall's rate of historical sexual abuse was any different from other communities in Ontario or Canada.

 

"What was different, however, was how certain people in the media, as well as the public, reacted to what unfolded in an era that was an era of ignorance of the issues," he said.

  

 Yesterday was the fourth day of submissions at the inquiry, which is examining how institutions like the Alexandria-Cornwall Roman Catholic Diocese responded to sexual abuse allegations.

Submissions wrap up today.

 

In 1992, former altar boy David Silmser came forward alleging he had been abused in the 1960s and 1970s by a local priest.

 

The church paid Silmser $32,000, but the deal contained an illegal clause inserted by the priest's lawyer that prevented Silmser from pursuing any criminal charges.

 

When Silmser's allegations and the payout hit the media, the diocese vowed it didn't know the clause was in the contract.

 

But over the 1990s, theories spread that diocesan officials were actually part of a widespread conspiracy involving police and the courts to cover up an alleged pedophile clan.

 

Cornwall's residents were polarized, either wholeheartedly believing the clan story or denying it outright, said Sherriff-Scott. So too were the local media, which descended into "rumour and conjecture," he said.

 

Ultimately, the public was "ill-equipped" to properly understand what was going on, said Sherriff- Scott.

 

"The result was that many innocent people were badly harmed. Real victims were badly harmed, and the entire community's self-image was badly damaged," he said.

 

Although a four-year investigation by the Ontario Provincial Police resulted in more than 100 charges against 15 men, police never uncovered evidence of an organized clan.

 

Sherriff-Scott placed the blame for the clan theory upon Perry Dunlop - a former Cornwall police officer who, in 1993, had turned over Silmser's allegations to the Children's Aid Society.

 

For his actions, Dunlop was charged under the Police Service Act. He was later exonerated.

 

"Mr. Dunlop became convinced that he was being scapegoated, bullied, harassed and isolated," said Sherriff-Scott. "In the ensuing storm, he simply fell apart."

 

Dunlop began conducting his own off-hours investigations into sexual abuse allegations.

 

He eventually met Ron Leroux, an alleged abuse victim who claimed he'd seen a number of prominent local men ritually assault young boys decades earlier.

 

Dunlop took that information, said Sherriff-Scott, and launched a "dysfunctional and bizarre" investigation that "did not have objectivity as its hallmark."

 

"That allowed Mr. Leroux . . . to dominate the agenda, and resulted in the publication and dissemination of the many lies that he told," said Sherriff-Scott.

 

"And I suggest that was the epicentre of what generated the scandal in the city."

 

Leroux recanted significant parts of his story when he took the inquiry's stand in 2007.

 

Sherriff-Scott also accused former MPP Garry Guzzo of using his reputation as a former judge and lawyer to "enhance the credibility" of the clan rumours.

 

Guzzo was a passionate advocate for the inquiry, and had once threatened to reveal the names of alleged abusers on the floor of Queen's Park.

 

But Sherriff-Scott scolded Guzzo for not having the evidence to back up his claims, and said he "should have known better."

 

"I suggest he fastened on to this issue for his own electoral pretension, and what he did amounts to a cynical display of the disregard for the interests of this community," Sherriff-Scott said.

 

John Callaghan, an attorney for the Cornwall police, urged inquiry commissioner Normand Glaude to not only state the clan allegations were false, but to specifically identify the people who spread the falsehoods.

 

"It's important because the conspiracy theorists will never die," he said.

 

"Long after you leave town the bloggers, the gossip hounds, will continue to gather behind some grassy knoll in Cornwall."

 

Callaghan said that for 15 years, local police officers "quietly endured" the allegations that they intentionally botched investigations, hoping one day the truth would come out.

 

"These people and their families deserve no less, as do the families of Cornwall," he said.

 Article ID# 1454237

Comments on this Article.


Yeah! Some one with common sense is finally speaking out. 

Reply | Report | Page Top Post #1 By BrendaG,

Yeh right, and "THE COW JUMPED OVER THE MOON!" 

Reply | Report | Page Top Post #2 By booga-booga,

 FINALLY ONE LAWYER IN THIS COMPLETE FIASCO HAS GOT IT RIGHT, Like I have stated many times before, too many innocent people have had there names tarnished and will carry this for the rest of there lives and the real suspects if still alive will walk away laughing at this fiasco that was called a inquiry. 

Reply | Report | Page Top Post #3 By rkake,

Perfect summary Mr. Sheriff-Scott- Perry Dunlop can rot wherever he is hiding right now. 

Reply | Report | Page Top Post #4 By glendale,

where were all you people for the past year? some of us could have used your support 

Reply | Report | Page Top Post #5 By itinerant,

 Well said Mr Scott..I have kept my own binder for three years and do know some of the players alledged and not..I did and do know P.Dunlop. That is before he left me at the train station stranded.I did and do know R Leroux and c-8..Mr Scott your account of the Cornwall problem is in my Humble opinion DEAD ON!!! 

Reply | Report | Page Top Post #6 By 2 sides 2 a story

Yes mister commissioner Identify the culprits that spread this horrible rumour of course there was no truth that the church covered up a bribe to shut up a victim of course there was no grounds for all the accusations yet there were over 100 charges laid. And mister commissioner of course believe a lawyer that represents the church like none of them have ever lied for the church before. To hell with you all. Glendale I dare you to confront Mr. Dunlop to his face I doubt you can because most cowards can't face a man of Perry's calibre who has morals. 

Reply | Report | Page Top Post #7 By dodger,

 I heard a joke once and it was told to me by a lawyer. It goes like this (What is the difference between a dead skunk in the middle of the road and a dead lawyer in the middle of the road?) (There are skid marks in front of the dead skunk) 

Reply | Report | Page Top Post #8 By dodger,

   we all know there was a cover up I'm proud of Perry Dunlop and shame on whom ever doesn't back him up.The thing s he has been through death threats against his famil,being run out of town.The states gave him an award for his bravery and cornwall trreats him like a criminal.There is such a cover up in cornwall and if you don't belive it your gullable and blind!!! 

Reply | Report | Page Top Post #9 By degauss

 Um hmmm, so nothing ever happened, no one was ever abused, no priest died of AIDS, this is all made up to cause problems for Cornwall? Ummm, these kind of things go on all over - thank you to those who had the courage to come forward. Abuse happened, many in authority dropped the ball, they will learn from it and go on. If no one had raised an issue, no changes would ever be made. Those that were abused know what happened to them, those that did the abusing, know what they did. Fix the problems but in the meantime don't go too far the other way, and overreact. Thoroughly investigate before stealing someones children, and if a child tells you they have been abused - check it out. Cornwall is not alone. Fix the problem 

Reply | Report | Page Top Post #10 By majekin,

 the abusers will meet their judgment from god and i hope those priest go straight to hell where they belong!!!!!!!! 

Reply | Report | Page Top Post #11 By degauss

   In response to Dodger, who do you think the coward really is? Why do you think that Dunlop ran off to BC? That weasel was too scared to actually stand up in court and speak his 'truth'. Dunlop has made a mockery out of this inquiry. The true victims are outnumbered by those who have been slandered by Dunlop and Guzzo. 

Reply | Report | Page Top Post #12 By glendale,

 In response to Glendale the reason why he moved to BC is because of the non-stop death threats,threats made towards his kids and other family members he was ran out of town by cornwall and fellow oficers so get facts straight,and why would he testify no one wanted to listen to him years ago after they tormented him and his family.Unless you know him personally and know what he has been through as well and how much courage it took to take a stand you need to shut up.

Cornwall makes a mockery by themselves not just one person!!! 

Reply | Report | Page Top Post #13 By degauss,

 NONE OF YOU WILL EVER BE HALF THE MAN THAT PERRY DUNLOP IS!!! 

Reply | Report | Page Top Post #14 By grimreaper_47

   

glendale no one slandered you or anyone else Perry Dunlop Exposed a cancer in our town. The cancer is called pedophiles. Open your eyes you will see it. Don't blame the messenger blame the pedophiles that did wrong to the children.


The church housed and protected an abuser of children the probation system housed and protected an abuser of children. That is what the inquiry was about.  

Reply | Report | Page Top Post #15 By dodger

 Attack me attack anyone you want to try and deflect that something went terribly wrong in our city children were abused by institutions and individuals all Perry did was expose the abuse and i know there are many people angry at him for this but you should not be angry at him you should be angry at the abusers that performed the dirty deeds. 

Reply | Report | Page Top Post #16 By dodger,

     And if you really thought that Perry was as bad as you claim you would sue him for slander you would not be wasting time on a blog. 

Reply | Report | Page Top Post #17 By dodger

 I'll add something else...Dunlop happens to be one hell of a WISE man!!!

Did anyone notice an article in the Freeholder just awhile ago vilifying Dunlop? Pritchard attempted to get a statement from the Dunlops out in BC for the story - no go - the Dunlops didn't respond to the request!!!  Gee I wonder why??? Don't you think they've had enough of the smeering in the media??? Enough`s enough!

Wise move on their part - run like hell when any reporter approaches or calls. DO NOT RESPOND! I certainly learned that one - the hard way!!! ... and I'm sure the Dunlops have learned that too - the hard way more so than how I learned!!!  

Reply | Report | Page Top Post #18 By RealityChecker,

  BTW - WHO is/has been spreading the rumours if Dunlop is keeping his mouth shut - huh??? 

Reply | Report | Page Top Post #19 By RealityChecker

  DODGER, JAMES AND REALITY CHECKER, YOUR WISDOM, CARING AND SUPPORT THROUGH ALL OF THIS IS TO BE ADMIRED AS MUCH AS PERRY DUNLOP SHOULD BE ADMIRED. Often enough, there are so many people who can't see the forest for the trees, but we are not part of that group of ne'er do wells as WE can hold our heads up high unlike many who have theirs stuck up their anus! May God never forget those that can't see the forest and may they all rot in hell!  

Reply | Report | Page Top Post #20 By grimreaper_47

  This is incredibly BAD JOURNALISM. I just re-read this article. The "era of ignorance" is the era in which the abuse crimes were perpetrated. Many people were UNAWARE/IGNORANT that it was occurring. Yes, tragically, this was happening in other areas of the province as well. The opening statement of the article erroneously states that the "era of ignorance allowed rumours to spread about a clan of pedophiles..." That does NOT accurately summarize the lawyer's quote. An accurate summary of the lawyers quote is this: during the era of ignorance, abuse was occurring in other communities as well as in Cornwall, but Cornwall's reaction to the discovery of the abuse was different from other communities. What offends me about the lawyer's statement is his strong suggestion that Cornwall OVERREACTED to these abuse crimes. I don't know what other Ontario communities he's referring to - - but PRESCOTT sure comes to mind. Everyone remember Prescott? Seems to be an attempt to water down the crimes by normalizing them as something that occurs everywhere. Guess we were supposed to just take it on the chin with a shrug?  

Reply | Report | Page Top Post #21 By fourthstreet,

 forthstreet - this is tabloid journalism at it's best!!! Sensationalim and definitely a witch hunt! Example - Megan Harrison bullied and pestered Helen Dunlop and anyone else she could think of prior to Perry's release from the Ottawa Dention Centre after his jail stint for a story! Thank God the Dunlops were able to pull it off without the media frenzy. Harrison went so far as contacting one of the Dunlop girls and when she wasn't getting anywhere pulled the story and a picture of Dunlop off theinquiry.ca website! Pritchard obviously is continually bugging the Dunlops for a statement. Damned the don;t know how to leave them alone - then look at what they write!!! Anything to sell a paper and mislead the public!!! 

Reply | Report | Page Top Post #22 By RealityChecker

  Dodger I think there are many more people angry with Perry for how this was all handled then those that are angry about him doing the investigation.  Never be half the man Dunlop is?? I hope not, I think we have to maintain and would want to maintain a higher personal standard and self worth then that. RC who is spreading rumors? Come on look at all the people writing in here. Some are the truth, some speculation and some innuendo. I know none of you like to hear that but it is true and each of us know that. Anger makes people do stupid things and none of us are any different. Could you imagine how much more is done outside of the thread?? 

Reply | Report | Page Top Post #23 By itinerant,

  Itinerant, your standards are so low that you could crawl under the belly of a snake!! 

Reply | Report | Page Top Post #24 By booga-booga

 Repeat - WHO is/has been spreading the rumours if Dunlop is keeping his mouth shut???
Doesn't take a rocket scientist Itinerant to figure that one out!!! 
 

Reply | Report | Page Top Post #25 By RealityChecker,

 that's right RC, probably people like yourself. They are the only people with something to gain by providing out misinformation 

Reply | Report | Page Top Post #26 By itinerant,    

...and WHAT pray tell do I have to gain???

Please enlighten us Itinerant.

You're always good for a laugh - lets see what you come up with. 

Reply | Report | Page Top Post #27 By RealityChecker,

 

  
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