Bailey to seek damages for wrongful arrest in Sophie case

IAN BAILEY, twice arrested and released without charge in connection with the investigation into the killing of Sophie Toscan du Plantier, is to seek damages for wrongful arrest.

Mr Bailey made a court application yesterday seeking discovery of Garda investigation files for a proposed High Court action against both the gardaí and the state.

The body of the Frenchwoman was discovered almost 13 years ago on a laneway leading to her holiday retreat in west Cork.

Mr Bailey is also seeking the report of the review by Assistant Garda Commissioner Ray McAndrew into the Garda handling of the investigation. The internal Garda review was ordered in 2005 by then Garda Commissioner Noel Conroy.

Solicitor Frank Buttimer expressed concern that Mr Bailey was arrested on foot of a statement – made by a shopkeeper in Schull, Marie Farrell – which was later withdrawn. In July 2008, the DPP decided there would be no prosecutions on foot of the report.

Arising from his arrest by investigating gardaí in 1997 and 1998, Mr Bailey initiated a civil action in 2007 against the Garda Commissioner, the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform, and the state.

Yesterday, the Master of the High Court, Edmund Honohan, agreed to adjourn for six weeks a discovery application by Mr Bailey.

The adjournment was sought by the defendants and agreed to by Martin Giblin SC, for Mr Bailey. Mr Bailey wants discovery of all documents, reports, records, statements, notes and memoranda of interviews generated by gardaí.