Bailey counsel contests French rights

COUNSEL for Ian Bailey in his appeal against his extradition to France for questioning in connection with the murder of Sophie Toscan Du Plantier have claimed the French legal system has no right to exercise authority over the case in Ireland.

Mr Bailey, 54, was in the Supreme Court yesterday with his partner Jules Thomas for the opening of his appeal, to run for three days. He has always denied any involvement in the murder of Ms Du Plantier, 39, whose body was discovered near her holiday home in Schull, Co Cork, on December 23, 1996.

The French authorities have sought his surrender for questioning by an investigating judge and he is appealing against an order for his extradition made last March by the High Court.