'We shield Sophie's mum and dad from bad news in probe"

Murder victim's uncle tries to protect elderly parents

- JOHN HAND

THE family of Sophie Toscan du Plantier try to shield her elderly parents from negative news on her case as it remains "very difficult for them".

The murder victim's uncle Jean Pierre Gazeau has also hit out at Ian Bailey saying "almost every day" he has a new suspect.

He pointed to the Englishman's conviction in a French court for the mum-of-one's killing.

Sophie, 39, was battered to death outside her holiday home in Toormore, near Schull, Co Cork, on December 23, 1996.

Nearly 27 years on, her parents Georges and Marguerite Buoniol are still waiting for justice for their daughter's death.

Mr Gazeau said: "My brotherin-law is 97 and my sister will be 92 this year.

"They are doing well but with difficulty more and more as time goes on.

"It's difficult for us and it's certainly very difficult for them.

"So we try not to tell them too much negative information." Mr Gazeau spoke to the Irish Mirror almost a year after the gardai's serious crime review team launched a re-examination of the case.