Ian Bailey will be tried for murder in his absence next week and the trial in a Parisian courthouse will be the latest chapter in a story which has captivated Ireland since Sophie Toscan Du Plantier was found dead in the west Cork village of Schull in 1996.

Ian Bailey last night gave a talk on aspects of the law but would not be drawn on his own experiences ahead of a High Court date next Friday when he will continue his efforts to prove his claim that gardaí applied “malice” against him in their investigation of the death of Sophie Toscan du Plantier.