Gardaí ordered to return Bailey’s personal items

A COURT application by Ian Bailey, a self-confessed suspect in the Sophie Toscan du Plantier killing, to have gardaí return personal items seized from him during the investigation took an unexpected turn yesterday.

English-born Mr Bailey has been seeking the return of 150 items, including clothing, footwear, photographs and diaries, which had been seized from him, following the 1986 murder of Ms du Plantier at her holiday home in West Cork.

At a special midweek sitting of Bandon District Court, last Wednesday it had been indicated to Mr Bailey’s solicitor, Frank Buttimer, that gardaí investigating the killing were willing to return the belongings.

However, at another sitting of the court yesterday, Judge James McNulty was informed that a different garda investigation unit wanted to retain the items.

State solicitor for West Cork, Malachy Boohig said that a totally separate investigation was underway into what he termed “unfounded” complaints made by Mr Bailey against some gardaí.

It is understood Mr Bailey alleged he suffered physical and psychological mistreatment.

Mr Bailey’s solicitor reacted immediately and demanded that Mr Boohig withdraw the “unfounded” remark as it was inappropriate.

Mr Boohig refused but Judge McNulty asked him to reconsider. “Very well, I’ll withdraw it,” Mr Boohig said.

He added that he had only just been advised that the team investigating Mr Bailey’s allegations wanted to retain some of the items until they had completed their inquiries.

Mr Buttimer said, from his knowledge, the investigation — which had been ordered by Garda Commissioner Noel Conroy — was nearly completed and he couldn’t understand why they wanted to retain Mr Bailey’s personal possessions.

Superintendent Liam Horgan said that he had spoken to a garda exhibit’s officer to ascertain where Mr Bailey’s possession were, so they could be returned to him. It was only then that he discovered that the team investigating Mr Bailey’s accusations had the items in question.

Judge McNulty said that because the garda team investigating the death of Ms du Plantier no longer required Mr Bailey’s belongings they should be returned to him.

He added that the team investigating Mr Bailey’s accusations against some members of the force could ask for them back from Mr Bailey if they required them at any stage.

He made an order under the Police Property Act that all of Mr Bailey’s possessions be returned to him, via Mr Buttimer’s office, within the next 14 days.