THE author of a new book on the murder of Sophie Toscan du Plantier — now under serious re-investigation by Gardaí — is highlighting a claim that the chief suspect had previously met the victim.

>Mark McCarthy of Schull made a sworn statement at Pearse Street Garda Station in Dublin on October 3, 1997. Sophie died on the night of December 22/23, 1996. In it he says: “I know Ian Bailey about 5 years now. He is a Journalist and he is British. He is also a poet...