jack,17,023,620 articles and books
        
Periodicals Literature
Keyword Title Author Topic
        
Member login
User name                 
Password                
Remember me
Join us Forgot password?
        
T E X T
Submit articles free
The Free Library > General Interest/Informational > General interest > The Mirror (London, England) > February 28, 2003
The Free Library > Date > 2003 > February > 28 > The Mirror (London, England)
SOPHIE'S FAMILY TO SUE SUSPECT KILLER; Civil action taken against twice-arrested Ian Bailey.

Ads by GoogleFull-Text Online Library
Online library of books, journals, articles. Research online.
www.Questia.com/Online_Library

Link to this page
SOPHIE'S FAMILY TO SUE SUSPECT KILLER; Civil action taken against twice-arrested Ian Bailey.
Byline: PAUL CLARKSON

THE family of a French woman battered to death six years ago are suing the man they believe killed her.

The brutal death of TV producer Sophie du Plantier in Schull, West Cork West Cork (Irish: Iarthar Chorcaí) in south-west Ireland, lies in Ireland's largest county, County Cork. The area is actively promoted as distinct from other areas of the county, such as the more populated northern or eastern parts of the county, as well as the more urban in December 1996 remains a mystery.

No one has ever been charged with her killing despite one of the largest investigations in the history of the state. Relatives of the 39-year-old victim have now lodged a civil action in the High Court against Ian, also known as Eoin, Bailey, once a suspect in the murder case. He has always proclaimed his innocence.

The freelance journalist still lives in the area and was twice arrested and quizzed by gardai but released without charge.

The wealthy du Plantier family have been critical of Garda efforts to catch Sophie's killer.

Exasperated by the deadlock in the probe, four members of the family hope to get damages in a civil court, where the burden of proof is much lower than in a criminal case.

Despite the death of her millionaire film producer husband Dan- iel Toscan du Plantier two weeks ago, Sophie's parents Georges and Marguerite Bouniol still want to launch the action.

The couple, along with Sophie's brother Pierre, lodged papers in the High Court on December 19 last year - four days before the sixth anniversary of the murder.

The family are in the US at present and were not available for comment.

But a spokesman for the Courts Service confirmed the legal papers had been lodged.

The Irish Mirror first revealed that Sophie's family were considering legal action in November last year.

Her husband Daniel, 61, died broken-hearted in Berlin on February 11, never able to return to Ireland after the vicious killing.

Sophie's body was found with terrible head injuries in a lane near her Toormore cottage - bought by her husband years earlier.

Her remains lay outside for 24 hours Adv. 1. for 24 hours - without stopping; "she worked around the clock"
around the clock, round the clock before being found and vital forensic evidence was lost.

More than 1,000 people were quizzed in the months after the killing but despite orders by the DPP DPP - Dining Philosophers Problem to re-examine the case, no criminal proceedings have ever been issued.

Cork gardai, who compiled 2,000 pages of evidence during their investigation, could be called as witnesses in the case.

The personal injury action, almost unheard of Not heard of; of which there are no tidings.
Unknown to fame; obscure.
- Glanvill.

See also: Unheard Unheard in unlawful killing In English law unlawful killing is a verdict that can be returned by an inquest in England and Wales. The verdict means that a death was caused by another person, without lawful excuse and in breach of the criminal law, in other words homicide.
..... Click the link for more information. cases in this country, has still to be listed for hearing in the High Court.

Bailey's solicitor said action would be strenuously contested.