Bailey case: Witness denies any prejudice

A State witness yesterday denied a suggestion he was so convinced Ian Bailey had murdered Sophie Toscan du Plantier he was “scratching around” for any evidence against him, when gardaí had “none”.

Jim Fitzgerald, a retired detective garda, denied in the High Court he was prejudiced against Mr Bailey or “at the forefront” of efforts by gardaí to ensure a murder charge.

Tom Creed, for Mr Bailey, put it to Mr Fitzgerald he was convinced from a “prejudiced position” that Mr Bailey was guilty of the murder and tape recordings were full of his “unguarded remarks” about this “bollocks” Bailey.