Consul: I feel for Sophie parents

The most senior French diplomatic official based in Cork says she hopes the “aged parents” of murder victim Sophie Toscan du Plantier “will live to see her killer brought to justice”.

French consul Françoise Letellier has become close friends with the parents of the murdered French woman, Georges and Marguerite Bouniol, following her death in her isolated holiday home near Schull, in West Cork, in 1996.

‘’I really feel for them (the parents) and I hope that there will be somebody brought to justice for this (her murder).’’

Ms Letellier, who has been the French consulate in Cork for the last 35 years, retired from her position last night and was lauded for her contribution by French ambassador, Emmanuelle d’Achon, at a civic reception in City Hall organised by Lord Mayor Cllr Terry Shannon.

Ms Letellier, who lives in Carrigtwohill, said she got involved in the case two months’ after the 37-year-old film producer’s death and was the chief liaison officer for the family throughout the ongoing case.

“I think it’s terrible for the parents. They have lost a daughter abroad and they can’t speak the language? They were totally lost.”

Ms Letellier said that she would continue to help the family after her retirement back to France, because she had become “so close to them and would do anything to help them.”

“For them (Sophie’s parents) there will be hope that somebody is brought to justice for this. They are really old now and worried that they will die without their daughter’s killer being brought to justice.”

Ms Letellier revealed that she talked to Sophie’s parents on a very regular basis.

“They have become parents to me, the bond is so close. I really feel for them. I will continue to help them in a private capacity. If they want to come back here (to Ireland again) I will be with them. I will never let them down,” she said.