Former DPP tells of garda charge bid

Former Director of Public Prosecutions Eamonn Barnes has told the High Court the State solicitor for West Cork told him he was asked by a senior garda to contact the Minister for Justice to get the DPP to charge Ian Bailey with the murder of Sophie Toscan du Plantier.

Mr Barnes said he “took exception” to this because it represented the gardaí taking an “extra step” and going “further than normal” in relation to putting pressure on with a view to preferring charges.

Mr Barnes, who was DPP between 1975 and 1999, said he took the DPP office’s independence in the exercise of its functions seriously. His considered opinion was there was not enough evidence to warrant a prosecution of Mr Bailey.