Sophie’s parents arrive for vigil

THE parents of murdered French woman Sophie Toscan du Plantier return to Ireland year after year in order to suffer — just like the pain their daughter experienced on the night of her brutal murder.

Ms Toscan du Plantier’s parents spoke as they arrived at Cork airport yesterday, on the eve of a High Court hearing in relation to a French extradition application for Ian Bailey, who was questioned in relation to her murder.

Sophie’s mother Marguerite Bouniol said, however, the extradition case did not concern her as this was in the hands of the Irish justice system which she believed in. She and her husband maintain they still have faith in the Irish justice system — because, if they don’t have faith, they will die.

The couple have arrived in west Cork for an annual vigil, in memory of their daughter, which will take place on Sunday.

Ms Toscan du Plantier, 39, was discovered battered to death on the lane leading to her isolated holiday home at Toormore, near Schull, on December 23, 1996.

No one has ever been charged in connection with her murder. Mr Bailey was twice arrested and questioned by gardaí but the DPP subsequently did not initiate proceedings.

Mr Bailey was, however, arrested on foot of a French warrant in April and faces extradition proceedings under an European arrest warrant.

Mme Bouniol said yesterday she and her husband, Georges, were old and had suffered for many years following their daughter’s murder. She said they felt compelled to come back to the west Cork scene of the killing, year after year, to mark the pain and suffering Sophie had gone through on the night of her violent death.

Mme Bouniol said she felt she should suffer too, like her daughter had.

“We have suffered a lot and we would not wish what we have gone through on anyone. But we are old now and we will not suffer for many more years,” she said.

“I was ill last year and could not come, but I am here this year in the role of a parent. I owe that to my daughter who suffered so much on the night she was killed.”

Campaigning by Sophie’s parents, relations and friends have led to the extradition bid by French police.

Magistrates in Paris say they want to question Mr Bailey in relation to the alleged “willful homicide and serious assault and battery” of Ms Toscan du Plantier.

Mr Bailey’s legal team has advised the matter will be strenuously contested.