Ian Bailey bids to stop State helping French murder probe

Ian Bailey’s legal team has given the minister for justice and Garda commissioner seven days to stop assisting a French investigation into the death of Sophie Toscan du Plantier or else face High Court proceedings.

A letter was sent by the former suspect’s solicitor, Frank Buttimer to Alan Shatter and Nóirín O’Sullivan last Thursday requesting that they refuse to further help the French investigation on the grounds that such assistance “would be contrary to public policy”, would breach Mr Bailey’s rights to ‘fair procedure’ under the Irish Constitution and would prejudice criminal investigations or criminal proceedings in the State”.

The letter also states that it would be “entirely inappropriate” for this country to lend assistance to an inquiry by French authorities which is based “upon a flawed investigation”.