Ian Bailey could face a massive legal bill running into millions of euros after he lost his High Court action for damages against the State over the conduct of the Garda investigation into the murder of Sophie Toscan du Plantier.

A retired garda chief superintendent yesterday told the High Court he asked the State Solicitor for West Cork in 1998 to raise the Garda case against Ian Bailey directly with the DPP, rather than any of his officials.

The action by journalist Ian Bailey against the Garda Commissioner and State has been adjourned to next Tuesday as a result of personal difficulties experienced by a member of the jury.