Bailey hearing next week

JOURNALIST Ian Bailey is seeking leave to appeal to the Supreme Court against a High Court decision permitting his extradition to France in connection with the killing of French filmmaker Sophie Toscan du Plantier in Co Cork 14 years ago.

Mr Justice Michael Peart will hear legal submissions next Tuesday before deciding whether to grant leave to appeal. The state is contending there is no basis for an appeal.

Under the European Arrest Warrant Act 2003, an appeal against an extradition order may only be brought if the High Court certifies the case raises points of law of such exceptional importance the public interest requires those points should be determined by the Supreme Court.