Silent witness in Ont. child sex abuse inquiry out of jail

Last Updated: Monday, October 6, 2008 | 10:17 AM ET

CBC News

A former police officer jailed for refusing to testify at a public inquiry into child sex abuse allegations in eastern Ontario has been released from an Ottawa jail.

A website dedicated to the inquiry says Perry Dunlop was greeted by family and friends when he left jail on Sunday. He spent seven months in custody on civil and criminal contempt charges.

Dunlop was instrumental in sparking the judicial inquiry that examined how allegations of sexual abuse in the Cornwall-area were handled in the 1990s. But he defied court orders to testify, claiming he'd lost faith in the justice system. He was arrested at his home in Duncan, B.C., last February.

Dunlop began looking into an alleged pedophile ring that supposedly involved senior civic officials, clergymen and police officers on his own time in 1993.

A provincial police investigation led to 114 charges against 15 men, but it resulted in only one conviction.
Comments
realalbertan wrote:Posted 2008/10/06 at 6:54 PM ET
Andrew of Richmond, Do you think Dunlop had a big sweaty cellmate in prison who made him "pick up the soap"?

Andrew Of Richmond wrote:Posted 2008/10/06 at 4:58 PM ET

realalbertan wrote: Dunlop the witchhunter is responsible for instigating some of the worst anti-catholic hysteria in Canada since the 1870s.

No, Catholic altarboy rapists are responsible for anti-Catholic hysteria in Canada.

Andrew Of Richmond wrote:Posted 2008/10/06 at 4:56 PM ET

When a former police officer loses faith in the justice system, that should be a big wake up call to everyone.

realalbertan wrote:Posted 2008/10/06 at 3:31 PM ET

Dunlop the witchhunter is responsible for instigating some of the worst anti-catholic hysteria in Canada since the 1870s.He is just a corrupt and arrogant (ex) cop whose actions prove that ordinary citizens have NO protection against dishonest and unscrupulous policemen.Dunlop must be tried for his hate crimes.He should never have been released from jail.My sympathies are with the people of Cornwall and now Duncan.

jknudsen wrote:Posted 2008/10/06 at 2:45 PM ET

I can see how someone would lose faith in the justice system...

FJA123 wrote:Posted 2008/10/06 at 12:59 AM ET

Quit simple money rules. Do U all of a sudden forget or refuse to say what U have seen, and go on living. Or take the high road, tell all and put U and your family at great risk. We all know what happened and prob. would have done the same to protect our loved ones right? FJA123

CashMoney$$ wrote:Posted 2008/10/06 at 12:52 AM ET

Or maybe Dunlop kept his lips zipped becasue

"Dunlop began looking into an alleged pedophile ring that supposedly involved senior civic officials, clergymen and police officers on his own time in 1993."

Maybe those people were tip of the iceberg and their were more people involved with more influential and powerful positions!! and maybe dunlop just shut his mouth so his family doesnt get whacked (just a possibility)

114 cahrges laid ONE conviction?? yeah they were powerful people with connections. It seems as though its not what crime you committed but who commited the crime that matters.

Maybe possibly judges and other high ranking police men and women involved?? wouldnt be the first time now would it.

Redrose wrote:Posted 2008/10/06 at 12:26 AM ET

Good luck, Mr. Dunop.

TallDeepVoice wrote:Posted 2008/10/06 at 12:20 AM ET With all due respect to Mr Dunlop and his supporters, it makes no sense to make a big fuss and stir up a lot of Cornwall's population, only to clam up, apparently because one has "lost faith in the justice system".

Could he perhaps have realized how over-zealous and perv-under-every-bed paranoid he'd apparently become?

I don't think the justice system is at fault here. Sadly, I think what's happened is that Mr Dunlop has, over the past few years, simply slipped off the edge.

islandliving wrote:Posted 2008/10/06 at 12:11 AM ET

this is unreal. thanks to our liberal minded justice system this man spends more time in jail then a pedophile or murderer. this teaches honourable people to turn our backs and never report or witness anything.

Truth Seeker wrote:Posted 2008/10/06 at 12:07 AM ET

Bring him back before the court and request that he testify.

If no, then put him back in jail again.

We are not just dealing with an average citizen, but an ex police officer.

Much higher standards are placed upon those representing us, the public!

SpidersNSnakes wrote:Posted 2008/10/06 at 11:30 AM ET

While I agree that he had to do some time for contempt, it really does seem that they've swatted a fly with an atomic bomb here. 7 months? Pedophiles often get less than that.

Full points to the guy for standing on his principles though.

CaribooRose wrote:Posted 2008/10/06 at 11:14 AM ET

I googled Mr Dunlop's name and read the website ... all I can say is this: if only 10% of what's on that website is true, then ... Cornwall? You got a huge problem!!