Defendants seeking documents from Bailey

The Garda commissioner and the State are seeking a range of documents from Ian Bailey for their defence of his legal action seeking damages over the handling of the investigation into the murder of French filmmaker Sophie Toscan du Plantier.

Mr Bailey’s partner Jules Thomas, who has brought a separate case for damages arising from the manner of her arrest in the course of the investigation, has also been asked to provide further details of her claim, the High Court heard yesterday.

Mr Bailey, whose extradition to France in connection with the 1996 murder in West Cork of Ms du Plantier was refused by the Supreme Court, previously obtained an order requiring the State to disclose documents for his action seeking damages over alleged wrongful arrest and personal injuries. He and Ms Thomas claim they were wrongfully arrested during the Garda probe into the murder of the French woman.