State calls its first defence witness

The State has called its first witness for its defence of the High Court action for damages brought by journalist Ian Bailey over the conduct of the investigation into the late 1996 murder in West Cork of Sophie Toscan du Plantier.

Retired Detective Garda Denis Harrington began evidence on the 36th day of the case yesterday, during which evidence has been heard from 21 witnesses called by Mr Bailey.

In defending the claim, the Garda commissioner and State deny all of Mr Bailey’s claims, including wrongful arrest and conspiracy to manufacture evidence.