Posted by GARDAI are hoping advancements in forensics and the FBI will help them solve Sophie Toscan du Plantier’s murder.
The French filmmaker, 39, was battered to death near her remote holiday home in Schull, west Cork, in December 1996.
Ian Bailey, who died of a heart attack in January last year, always denied that he either knew or killed Sophie
And the head of the cold case review team, Superintendent Des McTiernan, said the investigation remains “active” — despite prime suspect Ian Bailey’s death in January 2024.
He said: “It is a very sad, high-profile case. The investigation into that is very much alive.
“Running parallel to that is our review. We are reviewing all the old evidence and exhibits and everything that compiles an investigation.
“We are feeding into the ongoing investigation.”TIMELINE OF SOPHIE CASE
December 23, 1996: Sophie’s battered body, still in night clothes, is found outside her holiday home near Schull, west Cork, by a neighbour.
February 10, 1997: Ian Bailey is arrested at his home for the murder but is later released.
April 17, 1997: Inquest hears Sophie died from multiple injuries, including laceration of the brain and skull fracture, caused by a blunt instrument.
January 27, 1998: Ian Bailey is arrested and quizzed for a second time, but is again released without charge.
January 2002: A review is ordered into the murder investigation after a highly critical report is written by a solicitor.
June 2008: A French magistrate orders the exhumation of Sophie’s body for a post-mortem and forensic examination.
July 2008: An inquiry into the handling of the murder probe recommends no prosecution.
June to October 2009: French authorities travel to West Cork to view the crime scene and meet Irish investigators. Two Garda detectives travel to Paris for quiz on probe.
February 19, 2010: A French judge issues a European Arrest Warrant.
April 23, 2010: Gardai arrest Bailey and he is brought before the High Court and granted bail.
March 18, 2011: High Court orders Bailey to surrender to European arrest warrant but he appeals to Supreme Court.
March 1, 2012: The Supreme Court rules in Bailey’s favour in his appeal against extradition.
May 31, 2019: Bailey is found guilty of Sophie’s murder in his absence in France. He is sentenced to 25 years in jail.
June 21, 2019: French authorities issue a third European Arrest Warrant.
October 12, 2020: High Court rules against Bailey being extradited. Later, State decides not to appeal. It ends attempts to extradite Bailey.
Who Watches the Watchers? 