Du Plantier family gets ready for long fight
Sophie’s uncle, Jean Pierre Gazeau, said his family welcomes the weekend arrest of Mr Bailey on foot of a European Arrest Warrant (EAW), which was endorsed by the High Court on Friday.
“We are fully satisfied about what happened,” said Mr Gazeau, who is also president of the Association for the Truth About the Murder of Sophie Toscan du Plantier.
“But now, we are waiting. We have a feeling that it will be a long process. But we are very diligent about this and we will monitor the legal progress carefully from France.”
Mr Gazeau said Sophie’s mother is very “combative” and is “satisfied” by the weekend’s events.
“But she is very concerned about the time it will take before getting Mr Bailey before the French magistrate,” he added.
Ms Toscan du Plantier’s battered body was found outside her holiday home in west Cork in December 1996. Mr Bailey, who was arrested twice by gardaí investigating the death, has always denied involvement in her death. No one has ever been charged in connection with her killing.
Mr Bailey, of The Pararie, Toormore, Schull, Co Cork, is wanted by the French authorities for the alleged “wilful homicide and serious assault and battery” of Ms Toscan du Plantier.
The 53-year-old, who is currently studying law at UCC, was arrested at his home late on Friday night on foot of a European Arrest Warrant (EAW) seeking his extradition to France. The arrest took place after Mr Justice Michael Peart had earlier endorsed the EAW after lawyers from the Chief State Solicitors Office presented the court with the original EAW issued by French magistrate Judge Patrick Gachon last month.
Mr Bailey was taken to Bandon Garda Station overnight, and then to Dublin where he appeared before a special sitting of High Court on Saturday afternoon.
Patrick McGrath, for the state, told the court that Mr Bailey was arrested shortly before midnight on Friday after the High Court earlier endorsed an EAW seeking the journalist’s surrender.
Sergeant Jim Kirwin of the Garda Extradition Unit told the court that he called to Mr Bailey’s home late on Friday night and asked the man who answered if he was Bailey.
Sgt Kirwin told the court that Mr Bailey replied: “You know who I am, yes I am Ian Bailey”.
When asked if he knew what the charges contained in the EAW were about, the sergeant said Mr Bailey replied: “This is an illegal arrest based on false information.”
Sgt Kirwin said he had no objection to bail being granted as he did not believe that Mr Bailey was “a major flight risk”.
However, given the serious nature of the charge Sgt Kirwin said an independent surety of €30,000 should be included as part of the bail terms.
Under cross examination by Martin Giblin, who argued that the independent surety was not required, Sgt Kirwin accepted that Mr Bailey had lived at the same address in Schull for almost 20 years.
Mr Giblin said that it had been widely reported in the media that a request for Mr Bailey’s extradition was pending and, while all this had been going on, Mr Bailey had continued to reside in west Cork.
Counsel also stated that Mr Bailey had been questioned about Ms Toscan du Plantier and that the DPP had decided not to prosecute his client.
In granting bail, Mr Justice Peart said Mr Bailey should enter into his own bond of €15,000, none of which had to be cash, would a have to reside at his home address, sign on once a week at Bantry Garda Station, surrender his passport, and gave undertakings not to leave the jurisdiction or seek new travel documents.
The case is due to be mentioned before the High Court next Wednesday, when it is likely to be further adjourned.
Mr Justice Peart said Mr Bailey would not have to attend the hearing. Mr Bailey is currently studying for his final law exams which get under way in two weeks.
Mr Bailey’s solicitor, Frank Buttimer, has declined to comment on the matter. However, he has said his client will vigorously contest the validity of the EAW and any attempt to extradite him.
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