Courts / Cork / Report
Ian Bailey's lawyers to focus on "fundamental rights" in extradition fight
Summary
In a High Court hearing scheduled for February 10, 2020, lawyers for Ian Bailey will argue that the proposed extradition to France for the murder of Sophie Toscan du Plantier violates his fundamental rights. Bailey, 62, was convicted in absentia by a Paris court and sentenced to 25 years' imprisonment. He denies any involvement in the death of the French filmmaker, whose body was found beaten outside her holiday home in Schull in 1996. Bailey's counsel, Ronan Munro SC, will reference the two prior extradition attempts, which were dismissed by Irish courts, including a 2017 ruling that the case was an abuse of process. The Supreme Court's 2012 refusal to extradite Bailey was based on the offence occurring outside French territory and Irish law's prohibition of double prosecution for the same offence abroad. The court has remanded Bailey on continuing bail and adjourned the case for three weeks.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Ian Bailey's lawyers to focus on "fundamental rights" in extradition fight. Charges or matters: the Frenchwoman's murder in his absence in a Paris court earlier this year. Procedural stage: sentence. Findings: Convicted
When:
- December 1996 Hearing Or Sentence
- February 10 Hearing Or Sentence
- 2020-01-20 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: the Frenchwoman's murder in his absence in a Paris court earlier this year (Proven)
Finding: Convicted
Outcome: Convicted; The three-judge Cour d'Assises in Paris accordingly imposed a 25-year prison sentence on him in his absence.; Remanding Mr Bailey on continuing bail, Mr Justice Binchy adjourned the case for three weeks.
Places mentioned
Topics
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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