French inquiry into murder case to begin

An inquiry into the murder of Sophie Toscan du Plantier is likely to get underway in Paris this month.

The French Magistrates appointed to investigate the Frenchwoman’s murder in December 1996 are expected to begin calling witnesses in the coming weeks.

Judge Patrick Gachon and Judge Nathalie Dutartre are expected to call several Irish witnesses in their bid to bring Sophie’s killer to justice. The French film-maker, right, was found battered to death near her holiday home in Toormore on the Mizen Peninsula on December 23, 1996. No-one has ever been charged with her murder.

The two criminal judges visited west Cork in June, where they met with serving and retired gardaí who worked on the case, including Superintendent Liam Horgan at Bantry garda station, who headed up the Irish investigation into the French woman’s murder.

During their three-day trip, the magistrates, who were accompanied by a French policeman attached to the French embassy in London, visited Sophie’s home near Schull and the spot where her body was discovered on the morning of December 23.

They have drawn up a list of civil witnesses who made statements to the gardaí, many of whom are expected to be invited to France to testify at the inquiry.

Alain Spilliaert, a lawyer for the Association for the Truth about the Murder of Sophie Toscan du Plantier (ASSOPH), which was set up by Sophie’s friends and families, said witnesses reluctant to comply with the inquiry could be compelled under European law.

Article courtesy of The Evening Echo newspaper.