Murder of Sophie Toscan du Plantier a ‘stain on Irish society’ - Taoiseach

The murder of Sophie Toscan du Plantier was “a stain on Irish society”, Taoiseach Micheál Martin has said.

Mr Martin said he had “no doubt” that if new leads emerge or if the prospect or capacity for prosecution exists, gardaí would do everything possible to bring the person responsible for her murder to justice.

Ms Toscan du Plantier was killed at her holiday home near Toormore in west Cork in December 1996.

Speaking in the Dáil on Wednesday, Rural Independent TD Michael Collins said it caused “real horror” among local people at the time and, 26 years on, no one had been brought to justice for the murder of “an innocent woman, a much-loved daughter, wife and mother”.

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“What has followed in this case in these 26 years is best explained like a rollercoaster going around in circles but really going nowhere,” the Cork South-West TD said.

“There are contradictory reports in newspapers as to whether or not there is a live investigation. Genuinely, the people of west Cork are tired at the posturing that is going on locally. They, as the rest of the world, want to see justice for Sophie almost 26 years on.”

Mr Collins asked the Taoiseach whether a new file would be submitted to the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) “on foot of investigations that are now taking place”.

In response, Mr Martin said Ms Toscan du Plantier’s murder was met with “shock and horror by the people of the country”.

He said: “It is not like a rollercoaster in the sense that I think the gardaí take this very seriously. We know this is a case that has attracted huge attention.”

The Taoiseach said he does not get involved in the criminal justice system in terms of prosecutions or sending files to the DPP system.

“That is a matter for the gardaí. It is then a matter for the DPP to make an assessment of whatever is sent to him or her by An Garda Síochána,” he added.

“I have no doubt that if new leads emerge or if the prospect or capacity for prosecution exists, that the Garda will do everything it possibly can to bring the person responsible for the murder of Sophie Toscan du Plantier to justice.”