A LAWYER representing the parents of murdered French film producer Sophie Toscan du Plantier has welcomed the news that a team of French investigators is to travel to west Cork next month to interview witnesses in the case.
Alain Spilliaert, who advises Georges and Marguerite Bouniol, said the visit by French investigators was an important step for the family as they continue with their pursuit of justice for their daughter, who was murdered in west Cork almost 15 years ago.
The body of the 39-year-old was found near the entrance to her holiday home at Dreenane in Toormore outside Schull on the morning of December 23rd, 1996.
Now agreement has been reached between the Garda authorities and investigating French magistrate, Judge Patrick Gachon, for a team of French officers to interview more than 30 people who made statements to the original Garda inquiry.
Mr Spilliaert said Judge Gachon had briefed the family recently on the planned visit and they were very heartened by it.
“I was involved with lawyer Paul Haennig in filing an application in January 1997 to allow French police access to the Garda file on the matter, so it is very good that, after 14 years, we now have French police and the gardaí working together on this case.”
Mr Spilliaert said he expected the French police officers would seek to get the 30-plus witnesses to confirm and update their original statements made to gardaí, most of which were made in the late 1990s.
In addition to a team of French police officers, Judge Gachon is also sending criminal forensic scientists who have been given permission by the Garda authorities to examine some 200 exhibits collected by gardaí.
Among the items which the French forensic scientists from the Institut de Recherche Criminelle de la Gendarmerie Nationale will examine are blood samples, nail scrapings and hair samples taken from the body of Ms Toscan du Plantier. The French forensic scientists will also examine the clothing Ms Toscan du Plantier was wearing on the night she was murdered.
Gardaí have also retained a cavity block which they believe was used to finally kill her, while they also have a stone with blood which was found in a field near her house, and a blood sample taken from the door of the house.
Gardaí have pointed out that while they are facilitating the French investigators in any way they can, their own investigation into the murder of Ms Toscan du Plantier remains open and the file on the matter is under regular review.
