The brother of murdered French film producer Sophie Toscan du Plantier yesterday confirmed that the family had decided not to proceed with a civil action against an English journalist over her death in west Cork almost 10 years ago.
Bertrand Bouniol told The Irish Times that the decision of his parents, Georges and Marguerite, to take a civil action against Ian Bailey was never about seeking damages for his sister's death.
"Our idea in taking the action was to keep the pressure on the gardaí to continue working on this case so they will find out what happened that night to my sister - they are doing that so we don't need the civil action now," said Mr Bouniol.
He said his sister's murder still haunted his parents but they were confident her killer would be brought to justice even though it was almost 10 years since her murder at her holiday home at Toormore, Schull, on December 22nd-23rd, 1996.
"What happened to my sister is very much in their minds every day. It's very difficult for them. They want to know what exactly happened that night. It's no different from any mother and father who lose their son or daughter in a violent and brutal manner," he said.
The action against Mr Bailey of the Prairie, Liscaha, Schull was brought by Sophie's parents, Georges and Marguerite Bouniol and her son, Pierre Louise Baudey, who sought damages for fatal injuries to Sophie and her wrongful death.
Mr Bailey's solicitor, Frank Buttimer, said yesterday he had had recent discussions with the Bouniol's solicitor, Robert Dore. "Having considered their position and in the light of recent developments, they have decided to discontinue their action," said Mr Buttimer.
He added that in "a reciprocal gesture", Mr Bailey had decided not to pursue his costs against the Bouniols over the action while he said that the Bouniol's decision could only be construed as "an acknowledgement of the innocence of Mr Bailey."