Bailey case hears of ‘chopped’ statement

A recorded conversation between gardaí in the investigation of the murder of Sophie Toscan du Plantier included a reference to a statement having to get “chopped up”, the jury in journalist Ian Bailey’s civil action against the State heard yesterday.

The comment was made by Detective Sergeant Liam Hogan, now deceased, during a conversation with Detective Garda Jim Fitzgerald on June 23, 1997, during which both men made a number of references to Ian Bailey.

When Tom Creed, counsel for Mr Bailey, asked Chief Supt Thomas Hayes what he believed “chopped up” meant, counsel for the State objected, saying the witness could not give opinion evidence and Mr Justice John Hedigan upheld the objection.