Ian Bailey 'on the improve' after suffering two heart attacks

The 64-year-old said this is the first time he has had any issues with his heart, a fact that was 'quite amazing' given his 'far from ordinary' life

Ian Bailey suffered two heart attacks last Sunday and Monday.
Picture: Dan Linehan

Ian Bailey says he is "on the improve" after suffering two heart attacks last Sunday and Monday.

In the wake of the second heart attack, Mr Bailey said he was fortunate to be able to get hold of his doctor, who, after being told what was happening, was able to get him admitted to Bantry General Hospital.

Mr Bailey was then moved to Cork University Hospital for one day of tests, before being moved back to Bantry. 

He praised the staff at Bantry General Hospital for their care. 

Mr Bailey, 64, said this is the first time he has had any issues with his heart, a fact he said was "quite amazing" given his "far from ordinary" life. 

"I guess things are going to take their toll," he said.

He said he is currently living near Bantry, but is facing eviction because the landlord wants to develop the property.

Mr Bailey has still been working at his stall at the Bantry market, but said he is "going to take it easy" in the short term.

Speaking on The Opinion Line on 96FM, Mr Bailey said he had recently produced a three-part podcast telling his life story.

In 2019, Mr Bailey was convicted in absentia by a court in Paris of the murder of Sophie Toscan du Plantier in 1996. 

He has always denied having anything to do with her death.

Asked for his views on the matter, Mr Bailey said he has had no contact with gardaí since he wrote to Garda Commissioner Drew Harris two years ago. 

He said following this correspondence, he was told that a cold case review had been sanctioned.

He also said that an independent cold case review was being conducted by an Irish television company which, he said, employed forensic experts from Britain and the US to "go through every piece of evidence".

Mr Bailey said that in his podcast's third episode, he examined some of his theories as to the circumstances surrounding Ms du Plantier's death.

"There's an indication it could be a person, still alive, who is responsible. I don't want to say too much more," he said. 

Mr Bailey said Ms du Plantier's death was still "a very dark stain" on the community in West Cork.

"My hope and prayer is that, before I'm dead and gone, the truth will come out. And the truth is that I had nothing to do with this terrible crime."