‘Family was ostracised in the community’

Saffron Thomas, an artist and daughter of Ian Bailey’s partner Jules Thomas, yesterday told the High Court her recollection was that Mr Bailey had killed turkeys at their home at The Prairie, Schull, on December 22, 1996 when she was in the vicinity, although not watching him.

The turkeys were killed on the same day she and Mr Bailey cut down a Christmas tree and he must have had scratches from that, she said, adding there was no blood.

Ms Thomas Jr was said she was 17 when her mother met Mr Bailey and life was good until late 1996. She added she was aware Mr Bailey had assaulted her mother, who she called a “very loving, forgiving person”. Her mother and Mr Bailey had a good relationship, they laughed a lot, and talked about art, literature, poetry, and gardening, she said.

Becoming upset, she said everything changed after late 1996. Her mother had not had a good night’s sleep since and they were “ostracised” in the community.

She said that , during interviews with gardaí, two gardaí were “fawning” over her sister Virginia, were “slimy”, and “creeped” her out. Luán O Braonáin SC, for the State, said gardaí would deny those claims.