The Murder of Sophie Toscan du Plantier

Just two days before Christmas in 1996 the body of 39 year old, french filmmaker, wife, daughter and mother Sophie Toscan Du Plantier was found not far from her vacation home. Her cottage in Schull was supposed to be her happy getaway, but would soon turn into an absolute nightmare. This was a classic tale of a tight knit community that was absolutely shocked, terrified and deeply saddened by this heinous crime. Unfortunately the investigation was a shaky one which led to two countries and families arguing back and forth. In the end, even though someone was convicted, there were still doubts and no one has been put behind bars to serve a sentence for Sophie’s murder.

Thank you to the glorious David White for research assistance on this case!

References

Coulter, Carol. 2003. "Bailey admits violence to partner:." The Irish Times, December 10: 3.

—. 2003. "Bailey was 'the subject of trial by media', says his lawyer." The Irish Times, December 9: 3.

Dooley, Edna. 2001. Homicide in Ireland, 1992-1996. Study, Dublin: Government of Ireland.

Foster, Nick. 2021. Murder at Roaringwater. Leicester: W.F. Howes Ltd.

Fox, Kara, and Antoine Crouin. 2019. More than two decades after a woman was killed in an Irish village, French prosecutors hope to close the case. May 26. Accessed November 27, 2022. https://www.cnn.com/2019/05/26/europe/sophie-toscan-du-plantier-trial-ian-bailey-france-intl.

Hogan, Dick. 1997. "Dead woman's last days re-created." The Irish Times, January 21: 7.

—. 1997. "Expatriates go where living is easy." The Irish Times, January 18: 7.

—. 1997. "Two held in Cork murder inquiry released." The Irish Times, February 11: 1.

Jacobson, Philip. 1998. "Deadlock." The Sunday Times, June 7.

Marlowe, Lara. 1997. "Husband of murdered woman files criminal proceedings." The Irish Times, February 6: 6.

Marlowe, Lara, Connor Lally, and Olivia Kelleher. 2018. "Son of murder victim welcomes GSoc report: Investigation's failings did not amount to conspiracy, says Toscan du Plantier's son." The Irish Times, August 4: 2.

O'Brien, Carl. 2003. "Woman says she was 'terrorised' by Ian Bailey." The Irish Times, December 18: 6.

O'Connor, Alison. 1997. "Brutal murder shocks holiday haven." The Irish Times, January 4: 4.

—. 1996. "Man known to French woman may be on video." The Irish Times, December 30: 4.

O'Riordan, Alison. 2020. "High Court rejects French request for Bailey to be extradited to serve 25-year murder sentence." The Irish Times, October 13: 4.

Roche, Barry. 2010. "Bailey had met Toscan du Plantier says producer." The Irish Times, February 4: 1.

—. 2006. "Bailey witness accuses gardai." The Irish Times, February 24: 4.

—. 2006. "Family of murdered woman to abandon action." The Irish Times, April 27: 2.

—. 2019. "From Paris to west Cork and back: The story of the Sophie Toscan du Plantier murder investigation." The Irish Times, May 31.

The Irish Times. 1996. "Murder investigation as body of French woman is found in Cork." The Irish Times, December 24: 1.

The Mirror. 1997. "Why murder victim lay out for 24 hours." The Mirror, January 1.

Cowritten by Alaina Urquhart, Ash Kelley & Dave White (Since 10/2022)

Produced & Edited by Mikie Sirois (Since 2023)

Research by Dave White (Since 10/2022), Alaina Urquhart & Ash Kelley

Listener Correspondence & Collaboration by Debra Lally

Listener Tale Video Edited by Aidan McElman (Since 6/2025)

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