A TRAUMATISED woman who was sexually abused by her brother over 1,000 times said last night: “He will always be a monster.”
Michelle Cooke, 49, made the claim as her vile older sibling Kenneth, 62, prepares to be released from Dublin’s Mountjoy Prison next month.
Michelle Cooke was abused by her brother between the ages of seven and 11[/caption]
Michelle told our Crime Editor Stephen Breen that her brother will also be a threat to children[/caption]
The paedo targeted his younger sister when she was between the ages of seven and 11.
He was jailed for nine years at Dublin Circuit Court in January 2015, when he was found guilty on 16 counts of indecently assaulting his brave sibling.
In 2016, he received a 14-year sentence after he was convicted of abusing two boys.
Although both sentences ran concurrently, he will now be freed after serving more than ten years in prison, due to time served.
Ahead of the sicko’s release, Michelle, who works with other sex abuse survivors, told of her ongoing trauma after The Irish Sun on Sunday contacted her about Cooke’s impending freedom.
She said: “He’s not my brother, he’s a paedophile and a monster.
“The Prison Service have told me that he’s being released and it is causing me to have flashbacks, great anxiety and genuine concern.
“In my view, he will always be a danger to children because he was a professional groomer.
“My evidence convicted him and he knows where I live — what’s to stop him coming to my house?
“I knew where he was these last ten years but when he’s released he could go anywhere.”
PLACED ON SEX REGISTER
When released, Cooke has to notify Gardai of his new address.
He will also be placed on the sex offenders register for life.
And if he fails to notify Gardai of his location, he will then face new charges.
Cooke will also be ordered not to have any contact with his sister.
Before his release, Michelle also took a civil case against him to prevent him accessing funds from the sale of their family home.
‘PREDATOR WILL NEVER CHANGE’
Michelle added: “I’m speaking out now because children have to be protected.
“I stood up against evil but I would hate to bump into him in a shop. He has never shown any remorse for what he did to me.”
She added that “a predator like him will never change”.
Michelle continued: “I trust that the authorities will be monitoring him because I have no doubt that my brother still poses a significant risk to children.”
“The Prison Service have told me that he’s being released and it is causing me to have flashbacks, great anxiety and genuine concern.”
Michelle Cooke
The abuse survivor also remains convinced her older sibling has targeted other children in the south Dublin area in the past.
‘DON’T SUFFER IN SILENCE’
She added that if Cooke “has targeted other young potential victims over the years, I would ask them to come forward”.
She said: “They shouldn’t have to suffer in silence.
“I will be really shocked if there are no other victims.”
Michelle also told The Irish Sun on Sunday: “I’m trying to get my life back and want to be a voice for others.
‘IT WAS HORRIFIC’
“When I was on the stand it was horrific — it was the worst thing I’ve ever had to do, but it was worth it.
“Sibling abuse is like a taboo subject but people need to talk about it.”
The sex attack victim also paid tribute to Gardai for nailing the pervert.
The investigation into the case was run by Det Gda Dan Connell under the command of Det Supt Brian Sutton, now retired.
“In my view, he will always be a danger to children because he was a professional groomer.”
Michelle Cooke
Michelle said: “Gardai did a superb job and it was great to have people finally believe me. They trusted me and they were there with me every step of the way.”
During Cooke’s sentencing for abusing his sister, Judge Martin Nolan said: “What makes the offence incredibly serious was the number of times he has sexually assaulted his young sister.”
He told the paedo: “You were an adult and she was a child. You must have known what you were doing was wrong and you continued to do it.”
And in sentencing Cooke for abusing the two boys, Judge Patricia Ryan described his crimes as “very, very serious”.
