Ahern releases Sophie Garda files to French probe

GARDA files on the Sophie Toscan du Plantier murder are to be handed over to the French magistrate investigating the case, the Department of Justice has confirmed.

Justice Minister Dermot Ahern has signed off on the release of the files, a spokesman said.

Ms du Plantier, 39, was murdered near her isolated holiday home at Toormore, Schull, in west Cork, on December 23, 1996. Nobody has ever been charged with her murder.

In October 2005, the Garda began an internal review of its investigation of the murder and subsequently forwarded the results to the Director of Public Prosecutions [DPP] for consideration.

The review arose because, that same month, a key witness in the case, local shopkeeper Marie Farrell, withdrew her statement placing English journalist Ian Bailey close to the du Plantier home on the night of the murder. Ms Farrell said she had been coerced by gardaí into making the statement, and that it was false.

As a result, Mr Bailey’s solicitor wrote to the Garda commissioner expressing concern that this client had been arrested on foot of this statement.

But having considered the internal Garda review of how it handled the case, the DPP has ordered that nobody be prosecuted, meaning nobody will be charged in relation to the circumstances under which Ms Farrell made a statement, which she subsequently said was false.

Over the weekend, the Garda indicated that the DPP’s decision had freed up the force to assist the French authorities. “Directions have now been received from the DPP relating to the investigation carried out by assistant commissioner Ray McAndrew, Southern Region, arising from complaints about the Garda investigation into the murder of Sophie Toscan du Plantier,” the statement said.

“In light of the fact that there are now no criminal proceedings in train or contemplated, the Garda commissioner has decided that An Garda Siochána is in a position to progress requests received from the French authorities.

“These requests will be processed under the mutual assistance arrangements and in accordance with the appropriate procedures and mechanisms.”

Yesterday, Mr Ahern’s spokesman confirmed this would mean the Garda files on the murder being given to the French magistrate now examining it. The decision was taken following discussions between the minister and his department, the Garda commissioner and the attorney-general.