Ian Bailey’s solicitor told the High Court yesterday that assurances were given to Marie Farrell she would not be sued, after she contacted him to say she had said untrue things about his client.

A former Director of Public Prosecutions has told the High Court he decided there was insufficient evidence to warrant a prosecution of Ian Bailey for the 1996 murder of Sophie Toscan du Plantier.

Marie Farrell denied in the High Court it was she who initiated most contact with Det Garda Jim Fitzgerald.

Ian Bailey’s action against the State will run to at least the end of January, the High Court heard.