Bailey to tell court of ‘misery’ since arrest

Ian Bailey is expected to tell the High Court today how his life has been "a misery" in the 18 years since he was arrested in connection with the murder of Sophie Toscan du Plantier.

The former journalist is suing the State for damages, alleging that he was a victim of wrongful arrest and a victim of a Garda conspiracy to manufacture evidence against him. The State rejects his claims.

A jury of eight men and four women was yesterday sworn in to hear the case, which they were told was scheduled to run for six weeks. However, they were sent home without hearing any evidence as the day was taken up with discussion of legal issues.

Mr Bailey, 57, of The Prairie, Schull, West Cork, was arrested following the murder in West Cork in December 1996 of French filmmaker Sophie Toscan du Plantier, whose killing remains unsolved.

Outlining the case to the jury panel during swearing in, his counsel, Tom Creed, said it was alleged that gardaí conspired and manufactured evidence against Mr Bailey in producing witnesses to say he was at certain places when he was not.

Mr Creed said it would also be argued that gardaí told people in the local community that Mr Bailey was guilty, making Mr Bailey’s life “a misery for the past 18 years”.

Mr Bailey is seeking damages from the State for the emotional and psychological damage he says he suffered as a result.