Cross-examination to resume

The action by journalist Ian Bailey against the Garda Commissioner and State has been adjourned to next Tuesday as a result of personal difficulties experienced by a member of the jury.

Because the juror was unable to be in court yesterday, Mr Justice John Hedigan said he considered the best thing to do in the circumstances was adjourn the hearing until next week.

The cross-examination of Martin Graham, a former British soldier who claims he was given cash and cannabis by gardai who asked him to befriend Mr Bailey, will resume on Tuesday. Mr Graham began his evidence on Tuesday this week.

Mr Bailey has sued the Garda Commissioner and State over the conduct of the investigation into the murder of French film-maker Sophie Toscan du Plantier, whose body was found near her holiday home at Toomore, Schull, on the morning of December 23, 1996.

The defendants deny all Mr Bailey’s claims, including of wrongful arrest and conspiracy to manufacture evidence.

The action opened last November and is expected to last several more weeks.