Bailey and newspapers ask for judge to hear appeal

ENGLISH journalist Ian Bailey and the newspapers he sued unsuccessfully over their coverage of the murder of Sophie Toscan du Plantier in West Cork nine years ago both asked yesterday for a High Court judge to hear the appeal of the action.

Legal representatives for Mr Bailey and the newspapers asked Cork county registrar Deirdre O’Mahony yesterday to request President of the High Court Mr Justice Finnegan, to assign a High Court judge to hear the case.

Solicitor Emmet Boyle said this application was on behalf of Mr Bailey. Jane Ann Rothwell, barrister for the newspapers, confirmed that they were also making the same application.