Scandal hidden in plain view

How can the French police continue to investigate Ian Bailey while a Supreme Court judge probes allegedly illegal activity by the gardaí over the case, asks Special Correspondent Michael Clifford

PATRICK GACHON will have taken great interest in yesterday’s announcement by the Government on the terms of reference for the Fennelly inquiry. Monsieur Gachon is a French judge, charged with investigating the murder of Sophie Tuscan du Plantier in West Cork in December 1996. The Garda investigation into the French woman’s killing now forms part of the terms of reference for Judge Nial Fennelly’s inquiry.

Since Mr Gachon’s appointment, the Irish Government has bent over backwards to facilitate this highly unusual investigation by a foreign body into events that occurred in this jurisdiction. Yesterday’s announcement throws that co-operation into sharp relief.