The son of Sophie Toscan du Plantier has responded after the Tánaiste intervened in the debate about his mother’s murder.

The violent death of the French woman at her West Cork holiday home in 1996 shocked Ireland and made international headlines. 

The chief suspect in the case, Ian Bailey, was never charged with murder in Ireland but was convicted in absentia of killing Ms Toscan du Plantier by a French court in 2019. 

He was never extradited and died in February this year - publicly maintaining his innocence until the very end. 

Reflecting on the case last week, Micheál Martin said the Irish legal system had failed Ms Toscan du Plantier’s family and that the evidence against Mr Bailey had been “broad and deep”. 

On The Hard Shoulder, Ms Toscan du Plantier’s son, Pierre-Louis  Baudey-Vignaud, said he was pleased “in a sense” that the Irish Government had acknowledged the system had failed him and his family. 

“I understand that finally the Irish system recognises that they did not do things right,” he said. 

“It’s not that I’m happy with that but I am comfortable that they admit that they did things wrong. 

“My family and I have been fighting for 28 years; 28 years is not a short delay - it’s a lot of years and a lot of energy.” 

Sophie Toscan Du Plantier's uncle, Jean Pierre Gazeau, at the launch of of ASSOPH - the Association for the truth about Sophies murder in Dublin. Image: Mark Stedman/RollingNews.ie

Mr Baudey-Vignaud noted that Mr Bailey had been convicted of murder by a French court and that he was personally “sure” of the man’s guilt. 

“I think it’s a little bit too easy that you wait for the best suspect [Ian Bailey] - which was recognised as the one in France - [to die before you] admit something,” he said.

“I don’t know if it’s too late but it’s very late - it’s very late.”  

Mr Baudey-Vignaud said the Tánaiste’s remarks were “better than nothing” but that he still felt failed by the system. 

“It’s not fair for the rights of women in Ireland, it’s not fair for my family, it’s not fair for the death of my mother,” he said. 

“It’s too easy and my best hope is that it will change something.” 

Despite this and everything else that has happened to his family, he said he still “loves Ireland” and visits several times a year to this day.

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