Court of Appeal ruling on Thomas case deferred

The Court of Appeal will rule at a later date, on an appeal by Ian Bailey’s partner Jules Thomas, against a High Court ruling allowing a pre-trial hearing which could lead to large parts, and perhaps all, of her action for damages being struck out.

Ms Thomas has sued the garda commissioner and State over alleged “incalculable” damage suffered by her, arising from the garda investigation into the murder of Sophie Toscan du Plantier in West Cork in December 1996.

Her claim was brought on grounds including alleged wrongful arrest and false imprisonment on dates in 1997 and 2000.