Diaries of murdered du Plantier published

THE family of Sophie Toscan du Plantier are still clinging to a hope that the Frenchwoman’s killer will be brought to justice.

They have released the 39-year-old murdered woman’s personal diaries, which revealed her love for Ireland and particularly West Cork where she was killed at Christmas time six years ago.

Gardaí said yesterday an independent review of the murder investigation is with the DPP.

Chief Supt Austin McNally and Det Supt Joe McGarrity headed a re-investigation earlier this year of the unsolved case.

West Cork-based Chief Supt Dermot Dwyer said yesterday a DPP decision was awaited on a new file into the case.

“The review was completely independent of the original investigation and I understand they have submitted the file at this stage,” he said.

Previously unpublished photographs and intimate thoughts which Ms Toscan du Plantier, a television documentary producer, penned in her diary are featured in a new book to be published next week.

Michael Sheridan’s book, Death in December: The Story of Sophie Toscan du Plantier, is pubished by O'Brien Press.

Mr Sheridan, an art critic and theatre director, also wrote the screenplay for the movie, When The Sky Falls, which is a fictionalised account of the life and death of Dublin crime reporter Veronica Guerin.

The author is considering a similar movie screenplay or documentary on Ms du Plantier.

Her heartbroken parents Marguerite and Georges Bouniol co-operated with the author.