Bailey libel case decision expected

English journalist Ian Bailey will tomorrow hear whether he has won damages in the libel action he brought against eight British and Irish newspapers in the wake of a murder in Co Cork.

Bailey is suing the titles for defamation, claiming that when he was arrested in connection with the murder of French film-maker Sophie Toscan du Plantier, they made untruthful allegations which have ruined his life.

The ten-day hearing at Cork circuit court last month gripped both France and Ireland as Bailey, 46, was questioned intensively about events on December 23, 1996, when Ms du Plantier, 38, was killed.

She was found lying in her night-dress, bludgeoned to death in a lane by her Schull farmhouse. No one has ever been charged with her murder.

Manchester-born Bailey was the first journalist on the scene but just weeks later was arrested and questioned twice by gardaí. He was later released without charge.

Bailey’s barrister James Duggan said the most damaging allegations subsequently printed had not been proved.

Those included the claim that he had been seen washing his wellingtons in a stream a mile from Ms du Plantier’s Schull farmhouse on the night of her murder, but Bailey said he had not left his own house that night.

He also dismissed the scratches on his arms and face saying he had been killing turkeys and cutting down a Christmas tree.

During the hearing 26 witnesses gave evidence, including senior gardaí who took part in the investigation and reporters who covered the story.

The packed courtroom witnessed tense exchanges and severe cross-examination, leading some to speculate that by bringing the action, Bailey had in effect, put himself in the dock.

Judge Patrick Moran was twice forced to remind counsel that it was not a murder trial.

Several witnesses testified that Bailey had admitted to them, in various circumstances, that he had killed the film-maker. He vigorously denied all of the accusations.

Bailey’s relationship was also put under the spotlight when it was claimed he had subjected his partner Jules Thomas, 54, to multiple violent assaults, but Ms Thomas said the beatings had been exaggerated.

Bailey is taking seven actions – one of which incorporates the Times and the Sunday Times and claiming maximum circuit court damages of €37,000 from each.

The Irish Star. The Irish Mirror, The Sunday Independent, the Independent on Sunday, The Times, the Sunday Times, the Telegraph and the Sun all deny they libelled the journalist.

It is estimated the legal costs – for both Bailey and the newspapers – are in the region of €500,000.

Judge Patrick Moran reserved judgment after the hearing in December.