Enda Kenny says contents of tapes in Bailey case are ‘stark’

Taoiseach Enda Kenny has described as “stark” and of “serious concern” the contents of taped conversations in relation to the 1996 murder of Sophie Toscan du Plantier as it emerged there were more than 130 such recordings made by gardaí.

Of the total 133 conversations about the murder, 54 are between gardaí and two witnesses who made allegations about garda conduct. All recordings were made since the start of 1997.

According to RTÉ, which obtained the information:

36 of the recordings were of conversations between gardaí and Marie Farrell. In 2003, she told a defamation trial she had seen a man matching Ian Bailey’s description near the scene. Two years later, she retracted her evidence and said she had been put under severe pressure by gardaí;

18 were between gardaí and another witness, Martin Graham who, it has been alleged, was given cash, clothes, and drugs by a garda to give incriminating evidence against Mr Bailey;

42 were of conversations between gardaí and journalists;

37 were between gardaí and fellow members of the force.

The list of recordings has been given to the parties in the legal action taken against gardaí and justice minister by Mr Bailey.

Yesterday, Mr Kenny said: “The contents of the transcripts of tapes that are there are very stark. Obviously following the garda affidavit, that material will be transferred to the legal team. The case is before the courts but it’s a matter of serious concern.”

Two ministers addressed claims gardaí wanted taped recording of phone calls destroyed. Transport Minister Leo Varadkar said: “The gardaí, of course, will argue they were checking out to see whether they had to destroy the tapes under the law, whereas others may have the suspicion or view that they would have been very happy to destroy the tapes.”

Social Protection Minister Joan Burton said there was no suggestion tapes were destroyed “other than we heard retired gardaí saying in many stations, particularly pre-2008… that when a tape was finished it may have been… taped over”.