French murder investigators to conduct interviews in Ireland

French investigators have been given the go-ahead to conduct interviews in Ireland in relation to the murder of Sophie Toscan du Plantier.

It follows a meeting between French officials and Garda Commissioner Martin Callinan last month.

French mother-of-one, Ms Toscan du Plantier, was murdered at her holiday home in Schull, West Cork in December 1996.

No one has ever been charged in connection with her death.

French investigators are expected to spend a week in Ireland, interviewing around 30 witnesses in the region.

The team, made up of police officers and criminal forensic scientists, have already made contact with some, and the vast majority are willing to speak.

Some members of the team may travel to other parts of the country to take statements from witnesses who may have left the area since the murder.