Gardaí to probe claim Du Plantier evidence ignored

GARDAÍ yesterday confirmed they will investigate a travel agent’s claims that evidence he possessed in relation to the Sophie Tuscan du Plantier murder case was ignored.

A garda spokesperson said Maurice Sweeney's claim that gardaí overlooked the information he offered would be examined as part of a high-level inquiry into separate claims by a key witness that she felt under pressure when identifying the chief suspect to gardaí.

The internal garda investigation was announced earlier this month when Marie Farrell controversially withdrew her allegations against British journalist Ian Bailey, whom she identified as having been near the crime scene.

She said she felt under pressure when she falsely identifying Mr Bailey, rom the Prairie, Liscaha, Schull, near the scene, in Toormore, Schull, West Cork.

She testified at a recent libel trial that she saw Mr Bailey at Kealfadda Bridge at 3am on December 23, 1996, over a mile from where Ms Toscan du Plantier was murdered that night, but now claims the statement was false.

Yesterday, in a Sunday newspaper, Mr Sweeney, 62, said he told gardaí a man fitting Ms Farrell's original description of the suspect had booked flights from Dublin to France the day after Ms du Plantier's murder. Ms Farrell originally described the suspect as sallow and of medium height, at odds with Mr Bailey's stature.

Mr Sweeney said he tried to pass the information to the gardaí several times but was rebuffed. He also contacted his local TD Noel Treacy, and wrote to Justice Minister Michael McDowell last year. He said the Justice Minister said it was an internal garda matter.

Mr Sweeney said the man who booked flights was very similar to a man pictured in an Evening Herald article in 1997 who was alleged to have attacked Ms du Plantier after she refused to include his paintings in a programme on French television.

He also claims he contacted the French embassy but was told by a diplomat the gardaí "knew" the culprit.

A garda spokesperson said: "Anything that comes to light (during the internal garda inquiry) will be investigated."

The inquiry, headed by Assistant Commissioner Ray McAndrews, will examine Mr Sweeney's claims.