Inquiry Witness Says He Talked To Wife Of Former City Cop

June 29, 2007 — Ron Leroux says a couple of alleged victims have encouraged him to call Perry Dunlop. Dunlop is the former city cop credited with bringing to light sexual abuse allegations in Cornwall. Leroux says he called Dunlop but ended up talking to his wife about what was happening at the Inquiry (audio clip below). No one is allowed to talk to a witness about their testimony until it is finished.
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cornwall public inquiry; Dunlop's wife wanted witness to stick to his story: Leroux


Friday, June 29, 2007 - 08:00

Terri Saunders

Local News - A witness at the Cornwall Public Inquiry Thursday said the wife of a former city cop asked him to stick to his story when testifying before the commission.

Ron Leroux said Helen Dunlop, wife of former city cop Perry Dunlop, told him during a telephone conversation sometime in the past year he should testify at the inquiry and that he should not stray from the things he's said in the past.

"She asked how I was doing and she asked if I was going to testify," said Leroux. "She told me not change my story."

Leroux said he was approached on several occasions by two members of The Victims Group and implored to get in touch with either of the Dunlops.

Leroux said John MacDonald, an alleged victim of child sexual abuse who has already testified at the inquiry, contacted him at least three times, most recently within the past few weeks.

"He said I should get in touch with them (the Dunlops)," said Leroux. "He also told me to call . . . Sylvia MacEachern. He (MacDonald) said, 'She wants to talk to you.'"

MacEachern has been writing a web blog about the inquiry since it began and has described herself as a Roman Catholic writer and researcher.

Leroux also claimed he was approached by Steve Parisien, another member of The Victims Group, who provided him with contact information for the Dunlops and suggested he give them a call.

Parisien is currently facing obstruction of justice charges related to an incident which occurred earlier this year at the inquiry.

Another witness, Albert Roy, told the commission Parisien called him at home during the time Roy was testifying and suggested Roy could claim to have memory lapses if he didn't want to tell the truth.

Parisien has vehemently denied the allegations and is scheduled to go to trial Sept. 4.

"Did you have any discussions (with Parisien) about giving your evidence here?" asked Peter Engelmann, lead commission counsel.

"No," said Leroux.

While he was trying to decide whether or not he wanted to testify at the inquiry, a relative of Dunlop's approached him on several occasions suggesting he do just that.

Carson Chisholm, Helen Dunlop's brother, has testified in the past he helped his brother-in-law conduct interviews in the effort to compile evidence supporting claims there was a clan of pedophiles working together in the area.

"He said, 'You should testify,'" Leroux said of his conversations with Chisholm. "He said, 'You should get that out there, what they're doing to kids here.'"