Courts / Cork / Report
Fresh translation of French Bailey judgement is immediately handed back
Summary
In a High Court hearing on 20 December 2019, a fresh translation of the French court judgment that found Ian Bailey guilty of Sophie Toscan du Plantier's murder in absentia was returned to the State after the judge noted it was still difficult to understand. Mr Bailey, who was not present, had been previously convicted in Paris and sentenced to 25 years' imprisonment. The court endorsed a European Arrest Warrant for him, marking the third French request for his surrender. Mr Ronan Munro SC argued that the extradition should be challenged on the basis of a better translation of the judgment, citing "difficult to follow" passages. Mr Justice Donald Binchy agreed that a clearer translation was needed, and the court scheduled Mr Bailey's next appearance for 20 January 2020. The hearing was a notional one, with Mr Bailey not required to attend. The State's counsel, Leo Mulrooney BL, indicated that a new translation would be prepared.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Fresh translation of French Bailey judgement is immediately handed back. Charges or matters: Sophie Toscan du Plantier's murder in absentia, was handed back to the State today after the High Court heard there were continuing issues with it; the Frenchwoman's murder in his absence in a Paris court earlier this year. Procedural stage: sentence. Findings: Found guilty
When:
- January 20th Adjournment
- December 1996 Hearing Or Sentence
- January 20th, 2020 Hearing Or Sentence
- July 2017 Hearing Or Sentence
- 2019-12-20 Publication
Why: The Supreme Court refused to extradite Mr Bailey in 2012, holding that surrender was prohibited because the alleged offence was committed outside French territory and Irish law does not allow prosecution for the same offence when committed outside its territory by a non-Irish citizen. Prosecution account reported by CNI
Case subjects
Convicted Person
Charges: Sophie Toscan du Plantier's murder in absentia, was handed back to the State today after the High Court heard there were continuing issues with it; the Frenchwoman's murder in his absence in a Paris court earlier this year (Proven)
Finding: Found guilty
Outcome: Found guilty; The three-judge Cour d'Assises in Paris accordingly imposed a 25-year prison sentence on him in his absence.; On Monday, Mr Justice Donald Binchy endorsed a European Arrest Warrant for Mr Bailey at the High Court, where the British man was subsequently arrested and remanded on bail to appear again on January 20th next.
Places mentioned
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Related court reports
- State won't appeal refusal to surrender Bailey
- France fails in third bid to extradite Ian Bailey for filmmaker's murder
- Ireland has bizarrely become 'safe haven' for Ian Bailey, State tells hearing
- Tragic death of Sophie Toscan du Planiter not forgotten, judge says
- Ian Bailey has 'ironclad right' not to be extradited to France over filmmaker's murder, High Court told
- French request for Bailey extradition points 'a storm in a teacup'
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