Murder case witness says gardaí harassed children

MARIE Farrell, a key witness who sensationally withdrew statements she made during the Sophie Toscan du Plantier murder investigation, claimed yesterday that Garda intimidation was forcing her and her family to relocate to the midlands.

The 43-year-old alleged that some of her children, who range in age from 12 to 20, have recently been “harassed and intimidated” by gardaí.

She again claimed yesterday that pressure was also put on her by some gardaí not to retract a statement she made in relation to Ian Bailey, a self-confessed suspect in the 10-year investigation.