Brother hits out at French court ruling
THE brother of murdered Sophie Toscan du Plantier says Ian Bailey being found guilty of her brutal death in a French court was not “complete consolation”.
Bertrand Bouniol said the 2019 conviction was an important step for the family but admitted they are frustrated as Mr Bailey was not present.
Speaking on RTE Radio’s Brendan O’connor Show with Philip Boucher-haye, Mr Bouniol said: “He is guilty but he is free, so it is not complete consolation.
“He didn’t want to answer our questions and he didn’t want to answer the judge’s questions.”
Asked if he believes the former journalist was responsible for Sophie’s murder, Mr Bouniol said it was up to the courts to decide.
He continued: “It is not for me to answer. I am a victim because I am Sophie’s brother.
“One thing I have learned over the last 25 years is that victims ask for justice and justice is given by police.
“I have not decided that this man is guilty, but we asked for justice.”
Mr Bouniol said he refused to take part in the recent Sky documentary about his sister’s killing as Sophie was not at the centre of the narrative.
He continued: “The project described by Netflix was to put Sophie at the centre of the story and, for the first time in 25 years, it was the first time that someone put Sophie in the middle.
“It was important for us to give testimony to describe who Sophie was.”
When it comes to Sophie’s cottage in Schull where the tragedy occurred, Mr Bouniol said he still feels comfortable going there.
He added: “It’s not easy to come to this area but at the same time, if you want to continue to have some sort of contact with Sophie you can have some contact here.
“If you are in this house, you know you are close to my sister.
“Ireland is beautiful, especially near the sea and the other reason was because there is a tradition of writers in Ireland.”