Bailey’s solicitor calls for ‘root and branch’ review

Ian Bailey’s solicitor has called for a “root and branch” review of the operation of the State’s entire justice system in the wake of the garda phone-taping crisis.

Frank Buttimer, who represents the man who is suing for alleged wrongful arrest as part of the Sophie Toscan du Plantier murder probe, has also raised concerns about a decision by the office of the DPP to bring a prosecution for assault against four gardaí in Waterford in a case where the trial judge subsequently ruled taped phone calls between some of the accused was not admissible.

Mr Buttimer spoke out last night after links were drawn between his client’s continuing civil case against the State for alleged wrongful arrest in the du Plantier case, and the taping bombshell which has rocked the Government.