What do you think?
Rate this book
The Kilkenny Incest Case
This book tells the horrifying but true story of Alison Cooper from Kilkenny, Ireland, who was systematically raped, abused and beaten by her father for 16 years. Alison describes how her father • raped her when she was just ten years old • fathered her child when she was fifteen • forced her to take pornographic pictures of her mother • smashed her fingers with a lump hammer • blinded her in one eye with a kick in the face The court case and book resulted in a public outcry and a government inquiry, and led to a change in the criminal law in Ireland.
155 pages, Kindle Edition
First published July 2, 2011
282 people are currently reading
152 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
February 20, 2023
Absolutely heartbreaking. Alison lived through a literal hell and her father didn't get nearly the punishment he deserved. I know this is an older book, but I hope Alison's life got better for her and her son.
March 27, 2020
Jean38no
The author brings alive to the reader the physical, sexual, emotional abuse she endured at her fathers hands. Even to having a baby by him. She so used to being beaten down s gave in. No one would help her when she did tell them what was going on. The father tortured this girl. She never really knew why. He got off with such a light sentence It was egregious after what he did to this child and women! He stole her childhood, teen years and young adult years. He should have gotten 20-life.
The author brings alive to the reader the physical, sexual, emotional abuse she endured at her fathers hands. Even to having a baby by him. She so used to being beaten down s gave in. No one would help her when she did tell them what was going on. The father tortured this girl. She never really knew why. He got off with such a light sentence It was egregious after what he did to this child and women! He stole her childhood, teen years and young adult years. He should have gotten 20-life.
Read
October 14, 2019Harrowing story, horribly written
Off i had to read "Your man" one more time, I was going to scream. I've no idea why the author used that term for literally every character except the main ones rather than using pseudonyms or, perhaps, just saying the man, the gentleman, the man she met in high school, etc, but I found myself screaming "he's NOT MY man!" at the screen several times. I've NEVER heard that term used before and hope i never do again. Yes, I know it's a British/Irish book, but I've read plenty of those and have still never heard that term. In fact, there are a LOT of terms that I've never heard in this book and I'm not sure if it's because they are misused, or because I'm just not aware of them.
The story itself is not graphically written, sexually, so those faint of heart should be okay in that area. However, the physical abuse is quite detailed and ANYONE who has suffered from it may find themselves triggered, so beware.
The STORY is a cautionary tale, and one of how NOT to leave a relationship of abuse, and one of how to do it right. But remember, please, that children learn what they live and don't let them see too much. It damages them!
Off i had to read "Your man" one more time, I was going to scream. I've no idea why the author used that term for literally every character except the main ones rather than using pseudonyms or, perhaps, just saying the man, the gentleman, the man she met in high school, etc, but I found myself screaming "he's NOT MY man!" at the screen several times. I've NEVER heard that term used before and hope i never do again. Yes, I know it's a British/Irish book, but I've read plenty of those and have still never heard that term. In fact, there are a LOT of terms that I've never heard in this book and I'm not sure if it's because they are misused, or because I'm just not aware of them.
The story itself is not graphically written, sexually, so those faint of heart should be okay in that area. However, the physical abuse is quite detailed and ANYONE who has suffered from it may find themselves triggered, so beware.
The STORY is a cautionary tale, and one of how NOT to leave a relationship of abuse, and one of how to do it right. But remember, please, that children learn what they live and don't let them see too much. It damages them!
November 7, 2022
harrowing read
Very difficult to read, but I can only be impressed by the young woman’s strength. Her revolting father should have been locked up for the rest of his life. Her mother is a weak woman but even so - her lack of action consigned her daughter to a living hell. Mothers are supposed to protect their children. Although there were many, many other adults who knew at least sone of what was going on, and not one person got involved. I’m disgusted by that.
I hope and pray she can live the rest of her life happily with her son and partner. She deserves it!!!
Very difficult to read, but I can only be impressed by the young woman’s strength. Her revolting father should have been locked up for the rest of his life. Her mother is a weak woman but even so - her lack of action consigned her daughter to a living hell. Mothers are supposed to protect their children. Although there were many, many other adults who knew at least sone of what was going on, and not one person got involved. I’m disgusted by that.
I hope and pray she can live the rest of her life happily with her son and partner. She deserves it!!!
February 5, 2023
This is an excruciatingly hard read
This book was hard to read. I vacillated between how I would respond being in her circumstances and feeling so so sorry that she was so uneducated and when she did have the gumption to stand up for herself the establishment failed her horribly. Under circumstances like those and others for instance when evidence isn't brought out or is intentionally lost or tunnel-vision is the name of the game, those responsible including police, judges and jurors should be prosecuted. That should be the law!
This book was hard to read. I vacillated between how I would respond being in her circumstances and feeling so so sorry that she was so uneducated and when she did have the gumption to stand up for herself the establishment failed her horribly. Under circumstances like those and others for instance when evidence isn't brought out or is intentionally lost or tunnel-vision is the name of the game, those responsible including police, judges and jurors should be prosecuted. That should be the law!
August 14, 2023
A very tough take to tell
So much (too much) happened to this poor soul. Every time that you asked for help, it was never acted upon. I agree with you about the length of his sentence. It was way too lenient. If all of the charges would have run with one after another, it would have been a much more fair amount of time. I gave it 4 stars because everything repeated itself in the beginning and it just wasn't necessary. Good bless you.
So much (too much) happened to this poor soul. Every time that you asked for help, it was never acted upon. I agree with you about the length of his sentence. It was way too lenient. If all of the charges would have run with one after another, it would have been a much more fair amount of time. I gave it 4 stars because everything repeated itself in the beginning and it just wasn't necessary. Good bless you.
January 30, 2020
Ok
I’m not really sure how to rate this book. It is a TOUGH book to read-can be triggering to victims of abuse of all kinds.
The book is inconsistent as far as names-the author goes by 2 different names in the book and also has 2 names for her son and it is poorly written.
It needs to be edited and corrected but besides that it is a good book
I’m not really sure how to rate this book. It is a TOUGH book to read-can be triggering to victims of abuse of all kinds.
The book is inconsistent as far as names-the author goes by 2 different names in the book and also has 2 names for her son and it is poorly written.
It needs to be edited and corrected but besides that it is a good book
March 20, 2025
Very good reading. Sad story
I wish her mother would have protected her better. Mothers usually die.for.their children. Her dad only got 6.5 yrs for all the physical, sexual and mental abuse. Just horrific . Where is the justice system?
The grammar is not good and hard to understand some England slang words like "row" or as we here in US know as argument.
I wish her mother would have protected her better. Mothers usually die.for.their children. Her dad only got 6.5 yrs for all the physical, sexual and mental abuse. Just horrific . Where is the justice system?
The grammar is not good and hard to understand some England slang words like "row" or as we here in US know as argument.
January 22, 2020
Very heartbreaking
I Am American...I had to get used to Irish slang in the book...once I understood the slang and the Irish use of word...it was much easier and interesting to read.
I Am American...I had to get used to Irish slang in the book...once I understood the slang and the Irish use of word...it was much easier and interesting to read.
November 26, 2022
Horrific
The story is horrific how this girl suffered at the hands of her father I can never imagine what she went through.
The sentence he got was an insult my heart broke reading this.I wish her all the very best and I hope she can get through it.
The story is horrific how this girl suffered at the hands of her father I can never imagine what she went through.
The sentence he got was an insult my heart broke reading this.I wish her all the very best and I hope she can get through it.
January 26, 2023
Shocking Story
This book told a Horrendous True Story of incest & abuse.
Perpetrated by A Monster of a So called Father against her
Innocent daughter.
The law is wrong in this Country in dealing with cases like
this one. His prison sentence should have been life not 6 years.
This book told a Horrendous True Story of incest & abuse.
Perpetrated by A Monster of a So called Father against her
Innocent daughter.
The law is wrong in this Country in dealing with cases like
this one. His prison sentence should have been life not 6 years.
April 14, 2023
review
What a sick, hateful man! I have read a few of these stories and it still amazes me that this happens, especially a father doing this to his daughter. She might not have gotten complete justice but at least he did get some punishment.
What a sick, hateful man! I have read a few of these stories and it still amazes me that this happens, especially a father doing this to his daughter. She might not have gotten complete justice but at least he did get some punishment.
September 20, 2023
Amazing story
How does anybody survive what Alison went through? How can Michael Cooper sleep at night and why didn't he get at least 20 years in prison!!!!! I couldn't stop reading this until I found out how this poor child survived this kind of. Abuse. Amazing book.
How does anybody survive what Alison went through? How can Michael Cooper sleep at night and why didn't he get at least 20 years in prison!!!!! I couldn't stop reading this until I found out how this poor child survived this kind of. Abuse. Amazing book.
May 3, 2019
Great
Good book. Well written minus a few misspelled words but overall a good story. I would recommend to read it.
Good book. Well written minus a few misspelled words but overall a good story. I would recommend to read it.
September 20, 2019
Good book and very detailed. Hands up five stars.
December 16, 2019
Incest
Interesting way of writing. Very sad indeed and the poor girl will most likely never have anything close to a normal life.
Interesting way of writing. Very sad indeed and the poor girl will most likely never have anything close to a normal life.
February 19, 2025
Very well written
This book is hard to put down. Thankyou for sharing your story. I'm glad you are safe and found a decent man to love you.
This book is hard to put down. Thankyou for sharing your story. I'm glad you are safe and found a decent man to love you.
February 25, 2025
Such a hard read. The sexual abuse is a huge part of the book but I felt I struggled with the physical abuse memories even more. I hope this woman is doing well.
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews