Embedded Files
Publication of : "For Valerie": The untold story of the murder of Valerie French Kilroy
The untold story of the murder of Valerie French Kilroy
In June 2019, my sister Valerie French was murdered by her husband at their home near Westport while her young sons lay in bed.
For our family, it was the beginning of a battle against a system unprepared to respond to domestic homicide and where, despite his conviction, her husband remains the legal guardian of the three boys.
This book describes Valerie’s life and the difficulties she faced in her relationship, the multiple criminal trials before the guilty verdict was delivered and the wider context of domestic violence and homicide.
It is both a heartfelt tribute to Valerie and an urgent call to rethink how our society responds to and addresses murder in the home.
Media Coverage
Media Coverage
Miriam on Sunday - RTE Radio One:
https://www.rte.ie/radio/radio1/clips/22511805/
Irish Independent: Valerie French’s brother David: ‘It’s like I said after the trial, killing a mother is child abuse. It’s so incredibly obvious’
The Sun: FAMILY MISSION Monster used €6k van to hide body after brutal murder, rages Valerie French’s brother amid fight for sister’s belongings
https://www.thesun.ie/news/15190753/james-kilroy-van-valerie-french-murder-brother-civil-action/
The Examiner: Brother of murdered Valerie French Kilroy writing book about her death and its aftermath
https://www.irishexaminer.com/news/arid-41628676.html
2025-05-15: The Southern Star: David French recalls his sister in new book "For Valerie"
https://www.southernstar.ie/news/david-french-recalls-his-sister-in-new-book-for-valerie-4328785
2025-05-18: The Irish Mail on Sunday: Murder Victims' families 'share many of the same roadblocks' to real justice
2025-05-19 Writing.ie
https://www.writing.ie/interviews/for-valerie-david-french/
2025-05-19 Today FM- The Last Word with Matt Cooper : Campaign To Restrict Parental Rights For Killers
2025-05-20 Virgin Media One: Ireland AM: S26 E135
https://www.instagram.com/p/DJ36-lfPLju/
(starts at 0:44 minutes in; realtime 8:19am)
2025-05-20 Newstalk: Pat Kenny Show
2025-05-20 Talk Radio Europe
https://www.talkradioeurope.com/on-demand/
Select Tuesday, May 20th May 2025 - 14:00-15:00 and go to 14:25
2025-05-24 Irish Independent: Book Review
... Reading it will make most reasonable-minded people angry. And it should
2025-05-27 Cork's 96FM: Discussing "For Valerie" and Coercive Control
https://pca.st/episode/e6b27067-27ed-4184-9797-db4d9d34f2be
2025-05-28 Southern Star : Coverage of the Book Launch at the West Cork Arts Centre on May 23rd
2025-05-31 Irish Times : For Valerie by David French: A very personal study of femicide that is ‘dedicated to the silenced women’
His distressing and important book is “dedicated to the silenced women”. ... It will not ease the shock and horror of the family and friends of the next women to be murdered by a male partner, but it will give them valuable advice and it will show them that they are not alone in their suffering and loss.
2025-06-13: Irish Times: In the News Podcast :When a mother is murdered, how can the killer remain her children’s guardian?
2025-06-14: Mayo News: “Valerie was the most thoughtful person I knew” - Mayo friends remember Valerie French on her anniversary
2025-06-24: Cork Today with Patricia Messinger on C103 Radio: Interview
https://open.spotify.com/episode/7LgeWpanEvSFtwibIiY9AR?si=CFM_AbfkQ5ObRnbDGE7C-A
2025-07-01 Highland Radio : Nine 'til Noon show Interview
https://highlandradio.com/2025/07/01/podcast-tuesdays-nine-til-noon-show-146/
Page updated
Google Sites
Report abuse