Court rejects extradition of Ian Bailey to France over 1996 death
THE High Court in Ireland has rejected an attempt by French authorities to extradite Ian Bailey for the murder of Sophie Toscan du Plantier, pictured right.
Bailey, who previously worked as a freelance journalist in Gloucestershire, was facing a third extradition process to France, in relation to the death of Ms Toscan du Plantier whose badly beaten body was found outside her holiday home in Schull in December 1996.
Mr Justice Burns delivered the judgment at the High Court in Dublin and ruled that the 63-year-old would not be surrendered to France following a European Arrest Warrant (EAW) issued last year.
Mr Bailey’s solicitor, Frank Buttimer, said his client is “extremely relieved” at the court’s decision.
Speaking outside the Criminal Courts of Justice in Dublin, Mr Buttimer said: “The impact on his life of the entire situation has been extremely challenging for him for the last 24 years.”
Mr Buttimer said his client has always maintained his innocence in relation to the case.
“He appreciates the work of his legal team, his senior counsel and junior counsel and the tremendous amount of work over a long period of time,” added.
“The matter is not of course finalised because the judgment is to be formalised and the state then has to take a decision whether they intend to proceed further.
“Mr Bailey intends to return to West Cork and he intends to attempt to get on with the rest of his life as best he can, subject to any other decision that is made by the state in relation to any appeal.”
Mr Buttimer said that the state is entitled to consider its position.
He added that the judgment is “comprehensively in favour” of Mr Bailey’s grounds of objection.
Bailey was arrested last year after a High Court judge endorsed the EAW issued by French authorities.
He is wanted in France for the murder of Ms Toscan du Plantier in Schull, Co Cork, in December 1996.
Bailey, with an address at The Prairie in Schull, was convicted of murder in his absence by a court in Paris in May last year. The three-judge court imposed a 25-year sentence.
He had no legal representation for the case, did not attend the court and described it at the time as a farce.
He has always denied any involvement in the Frenchwoman’s death.
Mr
Buttimer