Judge ‘unfairly disparaged’ key witness, Ian Bailey says in appeal

A High Court judge “unfairly disparaged” Marie Farrell, a key witness for Ian Bailey, during Mr Bailey’s civil case for damages against the Garda commissioner and State, the Court of Appeal has been told.

Mr Justice John Hedigan’s refusal to discharge the jury after warning Ms Farrell about perjury in front of them irreparably damaged Mr Bailey’s case, his lawyers submitted.

Mr Bailey claims the judge’s handling of the case meant the jury never got to address a range of matters he alleges demonstrated a conspiracy to frame him for the 1996 murder in West Cork of French filmmaker Sophie Toscan du Plantier.