A silver watch was stolen from the dead body of Sophie Toscan du Plantier in west Cork, as a 'trophy' for her killer.
That's according to a leading journalist, who says it could be a big breakthrough in the case.
French film-maker Sophie Toscan du Plantier was brutally beaten to death outside her holiday home in Schull in December 1996.
Almost 25 years later, the case remains unsolved here - but Nick Foster, who wrote a book on the case, believes it still can be.
"More witnesses have come forward in Ireland over the last 6 months and there's been more leads for Gardaí to investigate."
Foster says he personally has been given top-offs, one of them, he says, is that an object was taken from her body.
"I recently received a tip-off from the Schull area to do with a watch. It's a silver watch and a watch of specific type that the killer stole from the victim's body immediately after the murder."
Mr Foster wrote a letter to a person of relevance to the case about the new development this week.
He believes it could help to solve the crime.
Former journalist Ian Bailey was twice arrested in connection with the case - but he always protested his innocence and he was never charged here.
