Bailey’s partner refuted arrest statements

A solicitor for Ian Bailey’s partner Jules Thomas wrote to a State solicitor in 1998 saying Ms Thomas "emphatically" would not stand over statements allegedly made by her to gardaí in February 1997 if called to give evidence at any trial, the High Court has been told.

Ms Thomas and Mr Bailey were separately detained on February 10, 1997, for questioning in Bandon Garda Station in connection with the murder of French film-maker Sophie Toscan du Plantier, whose body was found near Toormore, Schull, on December 23, 1996.

Yesterday, Ms Thomas said she had no recollection of saying to gardaí that Mr Bailey got up about an hour after they went to bed on the night of December 22/23, 1996, having left a bar in Schull about 12.30am.