Sophie’s family seeks garda files
Lawyers ave indicated they will apply to the Irish courts to obtain extensive garda documentation on the crime in a bid to prosecute her attacker.
The battered body of Ms Toscan du Plantier, aged 38, was found a short distance from her holiday home near Schull, Co Cork, on December 23, 1996.
However, one legal expert said yesterday that the Toscan du Plantier family faced an uphill battle.
“Both the courts and the gardaí would be reluctant to hand over any files about such a sensitive issue.
“Only security forces of other countries usually can get access to investigative files in order to share information where there’s an international dimension to a crime and even then it is not always a simple matter,” said the barrister.
The parents and son of Ms Toscan du Plantier believe that a fresh examination of the garda file could uncover a vital link.
Although the Director of Public Prosecutions James Hamilton has conducted two reviews of the file in recent years, he has so far not directed any prosecution to be brought. It is believed the DPP does not feel there is sufficient evidence to secure a conviction.
By his own admission, the prime suspect for the crime is Englishman, Ian Bailey, who lives a few miles outside Schull. The part-time journalist has consistently protested his innocence.
However, Ms Toscan du Plantier’s family believes closer scrutiny of the garda files would highlight inconsistencies in witness statements. They are also interested in claims by the evidence of one local woman, Marie Farrell, that she saw Bailey a short distance from Ms Toscan du Plantier’s home, shortly she is believed to have been killed.
Some garda papers on the investigation also became public last year when Mr Bailey took a libel case against several Irish and British newspapers.
He lost five of the seven legal actions.
The family are separately taking a civil action against Bailey.
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