State bids to block Bailey civil case retrial

The State has urged the Court of Appeal to overturn its decision permitting a retrial of part of a civil action by Ian Bailey, over the conduct of the Garda investigation into the murder of Sophie Toscan du Plantier.

Lawyers for Mr Bailey opposed the application as “un-stateable” and disputed the State’s argument that the Court of Appeal decision had been based on a “plain error”.

Having heard arguments yesterday, the three-judge appeal court reserved judgment on the application.