Husband of murdered Frenchwoman `hopeful'

The husband of murdered Frenchwoman Sophie Toscan du Plantier yesterday spoke of his hope that her killer would be caught after he had a two-hour briefing with gardai investigating her murder in west Cork over three years ago.

French film producer Daniel Toscan du Plantier said he was very hopeful gardai would apprehend whoever murdered his wife outside her holiday cottage at Toormore near Schull in December 1996.

"I have been impressed by the quantity and quality of work that has been done, and I've been more impressed by the fact that the case is ongoing with the hope of a positive conclusion," he declared.

Mr Toscan du Plantier and his lawyer, Mr Paul Haennig, spent over two hours with Chief Supt Dermot Dwyer at Bandon Garda station yesterday evening. Chief Supt Dwyer briefed Mr Toscan du Plantier on the state of the investigation.

It was Mr Toscan du Plantier's first visit to west Cork since his wife was murdered. Last night, accompanied by his wife's son from her first marriage, Pierre Louis, he laid a wreath at the spot where her body was found.

Earlier, Mr Toscan du Plantier said his meeting with Chief Supt Dwyer had been "very positive". He said the meeting had helped him appreciate the differences between Irish and French justice systems.

"There is an incredible differences in law between Irish law and French law - Irish law offers more protection to individuals. But when you are on the side of the victim it is more difficult to accept but obviously I accept Irish law," he said.

He explained that his previous criticism of the gardai came after he learnt of his wife's killing through French television.

"It was hurting me enormously to learn on French television that my wife was assassinated in Ireland. I think people here in Ireland would share the same feeling - I'm still sad at the way I learned," he revealed yesterday.

Although he was reluctant to issue any appeal for further information into his wife's killing, he remained confident that her killer would be caught.

"I am sure the many efficient people involved in the investigation will find the right and just solution," he said.

At one stage, a force of 60 gardai were involved in the investigation.

A 2,000-page file was sent to the Director of Public Prosecutions two years ago.