Parents mark 17th anniversary of Sophie Toscan du Plantier’s death

The parents of murdered French woman Sophie Toscan du Plantier yesterday marked the 17th anniversary of her death in the company of their grandson Pierre Louis.

Mrs Toscan Du Plantier (39) was murdered at her holiday home at Toormore near Schull in west Cork in the early hours of December 23rd, 1996. Her battered body was found in a laneway near her cottage. Her killer has not been found.

Her elderly parents Marguerite and Georges Bouniol have visited the scene of the crime on an almost yearly basis.

In a statement yesterday the Bouniols said they hope to visit Ireland early in 2014.

“We will try this year, as in the past ones, to get to Ireland. But we do not have a firm date as yet. As we are getting of age our souls are more than ever close to her and to the memories of the happy Christmas when she was still with us all.”

Mr and Mrs Bouniol hope that a book written by the French-based Association for the Truth about the Murder of Sophie Toscan du Plantier due to be published next year will "help the emergence of truth".

Sophie Toscan du Plantier is survived by her parents and her son Pierre. Her husband filmmaker Daniel Toscan du Plantier died in 2003 without seeing justice done in the investigation into the murder of his wife.

Her holiday home in Toormore near Schull had served as a quiet retreat from a high-profile life in France where she was a well-known filmmaker.

She loved the rugged coastal surroundings in west Cork, describing Toormore as her spiritual home.

No-one has ever been charged in connection with her murder.