Bailey trial hears from soldier who claims gardaí gave him cannabis

An ex British soldier who claims gardai gave him cannabis to get close to Ian Bailey said he has been hiding from the incident for the last 18 years.

An ex British soldier who claims gardaí gave him cannabis to get close to Ian Bailey said he has been hiding from the incident for the last 18 years.

Martin Graham yesterday told the jury he was beaten up in the back of a car by two policemen mid-1997 over fears he had a tape recording of detectives being corrupt.

Graham was called as a witness by Ian Bailey, who is suing the state and Garda Commissioner for alleged wrongful arrest over the 1996 murder of Sophie Toscan du Plantier.

Today, the former soldier is being cross examined - so far about his career in the British army including two years of service in Derry in the early 1980s.

Ian Bailey's lawyers raised concerns about the relevance of the line of questioning, but Mr Justice John Hedigan said the objection was ridiculous, and asked: "what are you afraid of … do you know something about the witness?"

Graham then gave evidence he had a breakdown that affects him to this day, and said he cannot remember what happened after Northern Ireland or where he was living 10 years ago.

In response, he was asked how he could tell the jury about events in Schull in 1997. He replied: "because I've spent 18 years hiding from it".