GARDAI are believed to have found a large stone which had been dropped on the head of the French murder victim, Ms Sophie Toscan du Plantier. Sources close to the investigation say the stone, or concrete block, which had struck the French woman on the side of the head, crushing her skull, was found near her holiday home in Ooleen, Co Cork.
However, Garda Sgt Liam Horgan refused to confirm the discovery yesterday. "I am not saying one way or the other", he told The Irish Times. Gardai say that while they have built up a good picture of Ms Toscan du Plantier's movements over the weekend prior to her death, there are still "a couple of blanks".
"We have a good picture of what she did from when she arrived. We are putting the pieces together like a jigsaw but there are still some pieces missing. No doubt there are people out there who can fill in those pieces", said Sgt Horgan.
The response from the public has been very good. However, gardai still believe that someone may be shielding the murderer. "We are of the belief that someone would have information about that person. After an attack like that they would be scratched and have bloodstained clothing" he said.
There was still no sign of a blunt weapon used first to repeatedly strike the French woman around the upper body and head. Sgt Horgan said gardai had extended the search area around the house.
Meanwhile, a vacancy for an assistant State pathologist is to be advertised. Fianna Fail TD, Mr Batt O'Keeffe, has criticised the 24 hour delay in the arrival of the Chief State Pathologist, Dr John Harbison, at the murder scene, making it impossible to pinpoint a time of death. He called for an assistant State pathologist to be appointed in the Munster area.
Former assistant State pathologist, Dr Margaret Bolster, is based in north Cork, but she resigned from her post last June. When contacted by The Irish Times yesterday, Dr Bolster said she had no comment to make.
Dr Harbison travelled more than 200 miles from Dublin to the murder scene. However, the body was so cold when he arrived it was impossible to estimate a time of death, according to Garda sources.
A spokeswoman for the Department of Justice said yesterday that "arrangements are in hand for the Civil Service Commission to advertise the post of deputy State pathologist within the next couple of weeks. The post will be based in Dublin with 26 county commitment."