The family of murdered French woman, Sophie Toscan du Plantier has welcomed a decision by the French government to award them €150,000 in damages.
Ms. Toscan du Plantier's parents, Georges and Marguerite Bouniol, and other family members, have initiated a civil claim for damages over the death of their daughter.
Under French law, families can sue for damages for pain and suffering as a result of a family member being killed or seriously injured as a result of a criminal act.
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The family says it will use the money to help fund their fight for justice.
Jean-Pierre Gazeau holds an image of his niece, Sophie Tuscan Du Plantier
Ms Toscan du Plantier was murdered at her holiday home near Schull in West Cork in December 1996 but no one has ever been charged with the killing.
Watch this RTÉ report from 1997:
