Latest news with #SophieToscanDuPlantier
Irish Times
6 hours ago
- Irish Times
‘We await with interest': Family of Sophie Toscan du Plantier supportive of fresh DNA tests in murder inquiry
The family of murdered Sophie Toscan du Plantier say they will accept whatever findings Irish forensic scientists make on foot of a series of new DNA tests on exhibits from the near 30-year-old investigation . Ms Toscan du Plantier's uncle, Jean Pierre Gazeau, said the family fully supports the decision by the Garda Serious Crime Review Team and Forensic Science Ireland (FSI) to engage US DNA collection experts irrespective of what the move yields. Mr Gazeau said he was interested to see that the Garda and FSI had decided to avail of technology provided by M-Vac Systems to examine exhibits including the stone and concrete block used to murder his niece in west Cork in 1996. 'I think it is the last chance for the Garda – unless, of course, some witness comes forward with new evidence. But even then, they may retract their story, which has happened before, but DNA evidence is objective and scientific and definitive, so it is a welcome development,' he said. READ MORE Mr Gazeau, president of the Association for the Truth about the Murder of Sophie Toscan du Plantier, said he did not want to speculate, but that the latest approach could produce a number of different scenarios. 'They may find nothing but obviously if they find DNA and it does not match that of Ian Bailey , then it has the ability to clear Bailey of any culpability,' he said. 'But even if it means the outcome is not what we expect ... it is a scientific outcome, and we must respect that finding and accept it because DNA testing is very definitive. We await with interest to hear from the Garda on what the scientists find.' Ian Bailey, the chief suspect for the murder of Sophie Toscan du Plantier, died last year aged 66. Photograph: Courts Collins Mr Bailey, an English journalist, was twice arrested in connection with the French film producer's murder, but was never charged, and repeatedly protested his innocence before his death last year at the age of 66 . He was convicted in his absence at a trial in Paris in 2019 of the voluntary homicide of Ms Toscan du Plantier and sentenced to 25 years in jail. However, attempts by French authorities to have him extradited to serve the sentence were shot down by the Irish courts . M-Vac Systems chief executive Jared Bradley and a scientist from the firm travelled to Dublin last month with their equipment and spent a week examining various exhibits gathered during the original Garda investigation into Ms Toscan du Plantier's murder. The 39-year-old's badly beaten body was found on the laneway leading to her isolated holiday home in Toormore near Schull on the morning of December 23rd, 1996. A postmortem revealed she had been bludgeoned to death with a rock and a concrete block. As well as the cavity block and rock, gardaí from the cold case review team based in Bantry brought several exhibits to the FSI laboratory for examination by the M-Vac team including Ms Toscan du Plantier's dressing gown, leggings, vest and boots. Investigators are hoping that any DNA evidence obtained will enable FSI scientists to make comparisons with DNA samples taken during the original Garda investigation from about 10 people, including Mr Bailey, identified as suspects at the time.
Irish Times
2 days ago
- Irish Times
Sophie Toscan du Plantier: Gardaí awaiting results of tests using advanced DNA collection method
A Garda cold case team reviewing the Sophie Toscan du Plantier murder investigation is awaiting a report from Irish forensic scientists on whether an advanced method of DNA collection has helped them to identify her killer. The Garda Serious Crime Review team has been working closely with Forensic Science Ireland (FSI) after it recruited a US DNA collection expert, M Vac Systems, to examine a number of exhibits from the near 30-year-old inquiry. Jared Bradley, M Vac Systems president and chief executive, travelled to Ireland last month and spent a week examining various exhibits gathered by gardaí as part of the original investigation into the French film producer's murder. Posting on Instagram in advance of his trip, Mr Bradley said: 'Praying for a fantastic outcome. If what I believe will happen actually does, it will be MASSIVE for us in a whole host of ways. Please pray for us.' READ MORE Ms Toscan du Plantier's badly beaten body was found on the laneway leading to her isolated holiday home in Toormore near Schull, Co Cork , on the morning of December 23rd, 1996. A postmortem revealed she had been bludgeoned to death with a rock and a concrete block. Gardaí from the cold case review team based in Bantry brought several exhibits to the FSI laboratory for examination by M Vac including the flat rock and large cavity block found at the scene and Ms Toscan du Plantier's dressing gown, leggings, vest and boots. Investigators are hoping that any DNA evidence obtained will enable FSI to make comparisons with DNA samples obtained from some 10 people identified as suspects during the original Garda investigation. These include samples from Ian Bailey , an English journalist who later became the chief suspect in the case. He was twice arrested in connection with the murder, but was never charged, and repeatedly protested his innocence before his death last year at the age of 66 . Ian Bailey was twice arrested in connection with Sophie Toscan du Plantier's murder, but was never charged. Photograph: Haydn West/PA Wire In a 2001 review of the original garda file, a solicitor at the Director of Public Prosecution's office, Robert Sheehan, said that given the attack 'was carried out in a frenzied manner, one might expect that the assailant would have left traces of blood, skin, clothing fibres or hair at the scene'. However, he said no such material was discovered and there was no forensic evidence linking Mr Bailey to the scene. Gardaí are remaining tight-lipped about the latest developments in the case and say it would be premature to speculate on whether the M Vac technology was able to gather enough DNA from the exhibits to generate a full DNA profile to identify Ms Toscan du Plantier's killer. The former holiday home in Schull, Co Cork of Sophie Toscan du Plantier and the cross that marks the spot where she was found murdered. Photograph: Eric Luke But Garda sources confirmed they have retained possession of the exhibits throughout the cold case review, contrary to some media reports that suggested the items had been sent to the FBI in the US for analysis at its headquarters in Quantico, Virginia. What is the M Vac system? The M Vac system was developed in the early 1990s by scientist Dr Bruce Bradley to detect e-coli following an outbreak of the bacteria at a US restaurant chain which led to the deaths of four children and left hundreds of others needing hospital treatment. Dr Bradley died in 2009 but his son, Jared Bradley, now M Vac chief executive, began exploring other uses for the technology and realised it might have an important part to play in criminal investigations. The view was endorsed by researchers at Boston University in 2012. According to M Vac Systems, its approach is particularly useful in collecting DNA samples from rough and porous surfaces which are often difficult to sample with traditional methods such as swabbing. The system involves spraying a sterile solution on to a surface and simultaneously vacuuming it up, creating a turbulent environment that helps the break free DNA containing cells, which are suspended in a solution, which is then collected with the vacuum. The first successful use of M Vac's technology to secure a criminal conviction came when it was used to extract DNA from a pillowcase, which led to the identification of paediatrician Dr John Wall and his conviction for the 2011 murder of his ex-wife Uta von Schwedler in Utah. Since then, it has been used by US police forces in hundreds of cases including many of a historic nature such as the unsolved rape and murder of Leisa Mitchell Jackson (12) in Texas in 1979. It was also used in solving the 1995 murder of Krystal Beslanowitch (17) in Salt Lake City, Utah, who was found surrounded by bloody rocks after being bludgeoned to death. Swab samples taken in 2008 only yielded a partial DNA profile but in 2013, forensic scientists used the M Vac technology and obtained a full DNA profile from the rocks which led to the identification of Michael Simpson as the killer and his subsequent conviction.
Extra.ie
21-06-2025
- Extra.ie
Ian Bailey's final farewell as family scatter ashes at Cork pier ceremony
Ian Bailey, self-confessed chief suspect in the unsolved Sophie Toscan Du Plantier murder case, spent most of his later years fighting one legal battle after another. So it was a fitting end of sorts when the last person to bid him a final farewell was a descendant of the legendary West of Ireland warrior and Pirate Queen, Grace O'Malley. George O'Malley made a 640km round trip journey from his home in Newport, Co. Mayo, to be at the scattering of the ashes ceremony yesterday organised by the late journalist's family. Ian Bailey. Pic: Tom Honan He was the last one to step forward to help sprinkle some ashes, and George's parting words to his friend of 15 years were: 'May your spirit fly over here forever.' And with that the remains of the man – who was questioned twice by gardaí in connection with the brutal murder of the French filmmaker and convicted in absentia of killing the mother of one by a French court – flew over a wild honeysuckle hedge to disappear forever from sight. The former journalist died in January 2024 as he walked from his home in Bantry, Co. Cork, to his car which was parked on a nearby street. He collapsed on the street after suffering a fatal heart attack. Ian Bailey. Pic: Yesterday his sister Kay Reynolds explained his relatives decided to scatter his ashes on Midsummer's Eve so they could also commemorate her brother's arrival in Ireland. She told a small group of about 40 friends and journalists gathered on a pier outside the pretty West Cork village of Ballydehob: 'Ian loved Ireland with a passion and it is over 30 years ago tomorrow that he arrived in Ireland. 'Except for one situation, he told me the international arrest warrant, which meant he couldn't leave the country, didn't bother him that much as there was nowhere else he'd rather be. Ian Bailey. Pic: 'The exception to this was not being able to come and see our failing mother Brenda in England and attend her subsequent funeral. He felt the cruelty of this very, very much. 'There were many blows over the years. However, I think the biggest of all was his split from Jules, which blindsided him and left him hopeless. 'Jules had loyally supported him for over 30 years but I personally believe it [the split] was the real start of his demise.' Among those who attended yesterday's ceremony were filmmaker Jim Sheridan, documentary maker Donal MacIntyre, and Sam Bungey, who co-produced a podcast about the murder of Sophie Toscan Du Plantier. Others included Ian Bailey's legal team of solicitor Frank Buttimer and barristers Jim Duggan and Tom Creed. Ms Toscan Du Plantier's battered body was found close to her isolated holiday home in West Cork on December 23, 1996. No one has ever been charged or convicted in Ireland for the death of the 39-year-old filmmaker. Paying tribute to Sophie and her heartbroken family yesterday Bailey's sister Kay said: 'I would just ask you to think of Sophie and her family for a moment. I hope they get true justice and some form of peace.' She then added: 'A deep regret, held I'm sure by you here today as well, is that his name wasn't cleared in his lifetime. This is so sad. Ian may you rest in peace.' Although Bailey was convicted of her murder in his absence by a French court in 2019, he died without ever admitting guilt. He was questioned twice by gardaí about her death but was never put on trial here. The Irish courts repeatedly refused requests from the French authorities seeking Bailey's extradition.
Irish Times
20-06-2025
- Irish Times
Ian Bailey's ‘deepest wish' was to clear his name of murder link, memorial service told
Ian Bailey 's 'deepest wish' before he died was to clear his name of any involvement in the murder of French film producer Sophie Toscan du Plantier , a small gathering of family, friends and supporters heard as his ashes were scattered into the sea in west Cork . Speaking at the private memorial service, Mr Bailey's sister Kay Reynolds said: 'It is a source of deep regret, held I'm sure by all of you today, that Ian's name wasn't cleared in his lifetime.' Ms Reynolds was joined by her daughter Jenni and other family members and about 30 friends and supporters for a memorial event at Skeaghanore pier near Ballydehob, overlooking Roaringwater Bay. Ms Reynolds said her brother 'once told me that the international arrest warrant, which meant he couldn't leave the country, didn't bother him as much as it could because there was no place else in the world [than Ireland] he wanted to be'. READ MORE She said the one occasion that the European arrest warrant caused her brother upset was when he was unable to visit their failing mother Brenda in England and attend her subsequent funeral. 'He felt the cruelty of this very, very deeply,' she said. Mr Bailey, who had been suffering from a heart condition, collapsed on the street in Bantry and died on January 21st, 2024 , just a week short of his 67th birthday. The English-born former journalist moved to Ireland in 1991 and came to prominence after the murder of Ms Toscan du Plantier (39), the French film producer killed at her isolated holiday home at Toormore in December 1996. Mr Bailey was arrested twice and questioned but was never charged with the killing and he repeatedly denied any involvement in the crime and maintained his innocence up to his death 18 months ago. Kay Reynolds, sister of Ian Bailey, disperses his ashes at Skeaghanore pier in west Cork on Friday. Photograph: Michael Mac Sweeney/Provision His remains were cremated at a private ceremony. Among those attending the scattering of his ashes were Mr Bailey's solicitors Frank Buttimer and Michael Quinlan and his barristers Tom Creed and Jim Duggan, who represented him in civil legal actions he took against several newspapers and against the State. Also present at the ceremony was film director Jim Sheridan , who championed Mr Bailey whom he maintained was innocent in his documentary series Murder at the Cottage and more recently in his docudrama Re-Creation which premiered earlier this month at the Tribeca film festival. Ian Bailey moved to Ireland in 1991 and came to prominence after the murder of Sophie Toscan du Plantier in December 1996. Photograph: Niall Carson/PA Wire Mr Bailey despite his protests of innocence was convicted in absentia of the murder of Ms Toscan du Plantier by a French court in 2019. Ms Reynolds, who previously told The Irish Times that she did not believe her brother killed Ms Toscan du Plantier, began her eulogy to her brother with a reference to the murdered woman. 'I would just ask you to think of Sophie de Toscan du Plantier and her family for a moment. I really genuinely hope that they get justice and some sort of peace for themselves because obviously they have suffered so much through all of this.'
BreakingNews.ie
20-06-2025
- BreakingNews.ie
Ian Bailey's ashes scattered off Cork coast as family hold memorial service
The family of Ian Bailey held a memorial service in west Cork on Friday morning with the ashes of the journalist and poet then scattered off the coast. Mr Bailey was the chief suspect in the 1996 murder of French film producer Sophie Toscan du Plantier. The 66-year-old died in January 2024. Advertisement He was cremated at the Island Crematorium in Ringaskiddy, Co Cork, in the days following his death. Mr Bailey was on two occasions detained by gardaí for questioning in relation to the murder of Ms Toscan du Plantier. The battered body of the 39-year-old French film producer was found near her holiday home in Toormore on the outskirts of Schull in west Cork on December 23rd, 1996. Kay Reynolds, the only sister of Mr Bailey, spoke to the Opinion Line on 96FM on Friday morning. She said Ian 'loved west Cork with a passion.' Advertisement "There was the warrant which meant he could not leave the country but he said he would not want to be anywhere else." "It was very appropriate that this is where we spread his ashes. It is something he wanted." Ms Reynolds said that Ian was "quite fit" until the last few years of his life. "[The stress] finally got to him. He was not taking care of himself but it was all to do with the pressure. It had been relentless for almost 30 years. It took its toll on him." Advertisement "There were times he did not help himself. I think if he had kept quiet it would have been better but that was not Ian's style. "He had nothing to hide and he would not hide. He confronted his challengers face on." Ms Reynolds said she never for a second considered the possibility that Mr Bailey might have carried out the murder. "As family we never thought that he had done this," she said. "Gardaí felt there were things that only somebody involved in the crime would have known. I don't think that helped." Advertisement "That was Ian's style of journalism – in Gloucester he did stuff about GCHQ [the UK spy agency] that other journalists didn't. He thought outside the box. "I think that was what happened there and became his downfall. That is how he became a suspect." "From the moment he told us – he phoned us to let us know we would start to see things in the paper about him – we never doubted him that he had been involved in this." She added that her thoughts were with the family of Ms Toscan du Plantier. Advertisement "This is not to forget that a very young mother was brutally murdered. I feel so sorry for the family because of the misguided belief that Ian committed the murder they have just had so many years of torture." The father of Ms Toscan Du Plantier died late in December 2024 just days after the 28th anniversary of the murder of his daughter. Georges Bouniol, who was 98, passed away in Paris after spending close to three decades seeking justice for the murder of his daughter. Mr Bouniol died in hospital with his family at his bedside. For many years Georges and his wife Marguerite travelled to west Cork at Christmas to attend an anniversary mass for Sophie with their son Bertrand and Sophie's son Pierre-Louis. Two years ago Sophie's uncle, Jean Pierre Gazeau, said it was the final wish of her parents to see a conviction in the case. He told the Irish Daily Mail that the family had waited too long for justice. "They are so heartbroken that they still cannot move on with their lives. They've been waiting so long for justice and know they will not be around forever. "It's their wish that they will see a successful end to this investigation so they can live the rest of their lives in peace." Mr Bailey always vehemently denied any wrongdoing in relation to the murder of the mother of one. He was convicted in absentia after a trial in France in 2015, and sentenced to 25 years in prison. However, officials in France were unable to extradite Mr Bailey to Paris to serve the sentence handed down by the courts. Mr Bailey fought two attempts by the authorities in France to extradite him to the country. Ireland Toscan Du Plantier's brother agrees that Ian Baile... Read More He also unsuccessfully sued newspapers for allegedly defaming him and gardaí for allegedly trying to frame him. He also lodged a complaint with the Garda Siochána Ombudsman Commission (Gsoc) in early 2012 into his treatment by gardaí investigating the murder of Ms Toscan du Plantier. A subsequent Gsoc report indicated grave issues of concern but said there was no evidence to suggest that Mr Bailey was framed for the murder or that evidence was falsified, forged or fabricated by members of An Garda Siochána. A cold case review into the death of Ms Toscan Du Plantier is ongoing.
