‘We owe it to her to return’ says du Plantier mother

The mother of Sophie Toscan du Plantier says she owes it to her daughter to return each year to where she was murdered.

Sophie’s parents, Georges and Marguerite Bouniol, arrived into Cork Airport yesterday with Sophie’s aunt, Marie-Madeline Opalka.

They will spend until next Monday in Sophie’s holiday home at Toormore, Schull, where she spent her last moments.

Her battered body was found near the house on December 23, 1996.

Her parents have travelled to Cork every year since, except last year.

Speaking through an interpreter, Marguerite 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.”

She said she and her family could never forget the suffering Sophie endured.

She added: “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.”

They will attend Mass in Goleen on Sunday, where Sophie will be remembered.

Their visit coincides with today’s High Court hearing in relation to a French extradition application for Ian Bailey. French investigators want to question him as part of their probe into the murder of Sophie.

He was arrested twice as part of the Irish investigation. Nobody has ever been charged with the murder.

Mr Bailey is fighting the extradition bid.

The hearing is expected to continue in the High Court in Dublin tomorrow.

Article courtesy of the Evening Echo newspaper.