THE anonymous caller to gardai in west Cork last week, who provided what may be vital information on the killing of the French woman, Ms Sophie Toscan du Plantier (38), before Christmas, is still one of the most important leads in the case, according to senior Garda sources.
The person phoned Bandon Garda Station early last week and offered what appeared to be solid information. However, it is understood that the caller discontinued the conversation abruptly, promising to phone back.
On RTE's Crimeline programme on Monday, gardai made a special appeal to the caller to contact them again, and on the same programme said that as a result of the public's response they were able to eliminate a red car from their inquiries. The car had been seen at Three Castle Head on Sunday, December 22nd, at the time Ms du Plantier went walking in the area. The following morning her battered body was found in a lane leading to the driveway of her holiday home.
Last night Insp Liam Horgan, spokesman for the investigating team, said the programme had helped to jog people's memories and that there had been "a tremendous response" from the public, resulting in a steady stream of phone calls. He added that for operational reasons he could not divulge whether or not last week's anonymous caller had been in touch again.
"We have received new information as a result of the public appeal. We are not in a position to say what it is, for obvious reasons, but you can take it that a new wave of work is beginning in the investigation," he said.
Gardai feel that because Ms du Plantier was involved in a violent struggle with her attacker, the murderer must have been blood-spattered, scratched or otherwise marked after the attack and that someone must have information on this.
The investigating team has appealed for details of anyone with suspicious bruising and has warned of the possibility that the murderer could strike again.
They also want to hear from anyone who may have travelled the road between Ms du Plantier's remote holiday home at Toormore and Schull village during the early hours of Monday, December 23rd. It is understood gardai already have information that at least one car made such a journey on the morning in question.