Why is the State facilitating the French?

The treatment of Ian Bailey by the State continues to raise the question of whether the Irish justice system is susceptible to political interference.

Yesterday, the State applied to the High Court for the endorsement of a European arrest warrant for Bailey. He is wanted in France to answer a charge of murdering Sophie Toscan du Plantier in West Cork on December 23, 1996.

A particular issue around the application is the timing, coming as it does a week before Bailey appeals a civil action he brought against the State.