Family of murdered French woman du Plantier awarded €150k in damages

The family of murdered French woman, Sophie Toscan du Plantier have welcomed a decision by the French government to award them €150,000 in damages.

Ms Toscan du Plantier's parents, Georges and Marguerite Bouniol, and other family members initiated a civil claim for damager over the death of their daughter.

Under French law, families can sue for damages for pain and suffering as a result of a family member being killed or seriously injured in a criminal act.

The family says it will use the money to help fund their fight for justice.

Ms Toscan du Plantier was murdered at her holiday home near Schull in West Cork in December 1996, but no one has ever been charged with the killing.