‘We do not fear’ court bid by Ian Bailey

The solicitor for the family of Sophie Toscan du Plantier say they “do not fear” efforts by Ian Bailey to bring a case to the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR), and also said they hope to hold the trial against him in France before the end of the year.

The assertion by Alain Spilliaert came as Mr Bailey claimed the French prosecution file linked to efforts to try him for the voluntary homicide of Ms du Plantier shows there was “alien DNA” at the murder scene in Schull.

It was reported last week by the Irish Examiner and others that Mr Bailey now intends to go to the ECHR after the French supreme court rejected his appeal against an earlier decision by the French high court to stop authorities there from prosecuting him in relation to the December 1996 death of the filmmaker.