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Tragic death of Sophie Toscan du Planiter not forgotten, judge says
Summary
During an Irish High Court extradition hearing, Mr Justice Paul Burns expressed condolences to the family of Sophie Toscan du Plantier, whose body was found outside her holiday home in Schull 24 years ago. The judge noted that extradition proceedings can feel "dry" but should not suggest the tragedy has been forgotten. Mr Ian Bailey, 63, is wanted in France for a 25‑year prison sentence for the murder of Ms du Plantier. He was convicted in absentia by a Paris court in May 2019, after French authorities had sought his surrender in 2010 and 2017, the latter being dismissed as an abuse of process. Bailey denies involvement, describing the proceedings as a "farce," and has been living openly in Ireland since his arrest under a European Arrest Warrant in December 2019. The hearing, the third attempt by France, continues to address the legal and procedural aspects of his extradition.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Tragic death of Sophie Toscan du Planiter not forgotten, judge says. Charges or matters: the French woman's murder in his absence in a Paris court in May 2019. Procedural stage: sentence
When:
- December 1996 Hearing Or Sentence
- May 2019 Hearing Or Sentence
- December 2019 Adjournment
- April 1997 Hearing Or Sentence
- July 2017 Incident
- 2020-07-16 Publication
Why: French authorities previously sought the surrender of Mr Bailey in 2010 but this application was refused by the Supreme Court in 2012, which held that section 44 of the European Arrest Warrant Act 2003 prohibited surrender because the alleged offence was committed outside French territory and Irish law did not allow prosecution for the same offence when committed outside its territory by a non-Irish citizen. Prosecution account reported by CNI
Case subjects
Defendant
Charges: the French woman's murder in his absence in a Paris court in May 2019 (Alleged Or Contested)
Outcome: Mr Bailey is wanted in France to face a 25-year prison sentence for the murder of Ms du Plantier and his three-day extradition hearing commenced yesterday in the Irish High Court. The three-judge Cour d'Assises (criminal trial court) in Paris accordingly imposed a 25-year prison sentence on Mr Bailey in his absence.; He was remanded on bail after a High Court judge subsequently endorsed the third European Arrest Warrant (EAW) seeking his extradition to France.
Places mentioned
- Irish High Court
- High Court
- Supreme Court
- Irish Supreme Court
Topics
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