Wednesday 28 October 2026Compiled from published reports. Every claim links to its source.

Ireland Crime

Every case followed from the first report to the sentence, or to where the reporting stopped.

Case No. 1829Murder · Co. Cork · 23 Dec 1996

Gardaí cold case review team hopeful of solving Sophie Toscan du Plantier murder

Sophie Toscan du Plantier, a 39-year-old French film producer and mother of one, was killed on a lane near her holiday home in Schull, West Cork, on 23 December 1996. The long-time prime suspect, Ian Bailey, was convicted in absentia in France but died of a heart attack in January 2024. A cold case review team led by Supt Des McTiernan is re-examining all old evidence and exhibits, working alongside Detective Inspector Eamonn Brady's ongoing investigation, with forensic links to the FBI. As of April 2025, the Gardaí say the investigation remains active and they are hopeful that new forensic technology and FBI cooperation may help solve the case.

  1. Reported20 Apr
  2. Arrested
  3. Charged
  4. In court
  5. Verdict
  6. Sentenced
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
Sophie Toscan du Plantier, a 39-year-old French film producer and mother of one, was murdered.
Where
She was found dead on a lane 100 yards from the front door of her remote holiday home in Schull, West Cork.
When
The murder occurred on 23 December 1996.
Investigation
  • A cold case review team led by Supt Des McTiernan is reviewing all old evidence and exhibits and feeding into the ongoing investigation led by Detective Inspector Eamonn Brady in West Cork.
  • The Gardaí have close links to the FBI to develop the case forensically.
Other details
  • Ian Bailey, the long-time prime suspect, was convicted in absentia in France and died of a heart attack in January 2024.
  • A mysterious man was spotted following Sophie in Schull on the day she died.
  • Sophie's husband was French film producer Daniel Toscan du Plantier and her son is named Pierre.
  • Much of the evidence in the French trial was based on hearsay that would not be permitted in an Irish court.
9 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatSophie Toscan du Plantier was a 39-year-old mother of one. (irishmirror.ie)
  • whereSophie was killed on a lane 100 yards from the front door of her remote holiday home in Schull, West Cork. (irishmirror.ie)
  • investigationThe cold case review team is reviewing all old evidence and exhibits and feeding into the ongoing investigation. (irishmirror.ie)
  • investigationThe Gardaí have close links to the FBI to develop the case forensically. (irishmirror.ie)
  • otherIan Bailey died of a heart attack in January 2024. (irishmirror.ie)
  • otherA mysterious man was spotted following the French film producer in Schull on the day Sophie died. (irishmirror.ie)
  • otherSophie's son is named Pierre. (irishmirror.ie)
  • otherMuch of the evidence in the French trial was based on hearsay that would not be permitted in an Irish court. (irishmirror.ie)
  • otherSophie's husband was French film producer Daniel Toscan du Plantier. (irishmirror.ie)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 20 Apr2025
    Reportedirishmirror.ie, follow-up
    Gardai explain why they are hopeful Sophie Toscan du Plantier case can be solved

    Provides details of the ongoing cold case review, including the use of new forensic technology, FBI links, the role of Detective Inspector Eamonn Brady, and the impartial approach taken despite Ian Bailey's in-absentia conviction in France.

    victim, Sophie Toscan du Plantier, 39, female, French, non-irishSophie Toscan du Plantiersuspect, Ian Bailey, male, named, irish (judged from name)Ian Bailey