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Ireland has bizarrely become 'safe haven' for Ian Bailey, State tells hearing
Summary
In a High Court hearing, the State's counsel argued that Ireland has become a "safe haven" for Ian Bailey, who faces a 25‑year prison sentence in France for the murder of Sophie Toscan du Plantier. The counsel said the court had a prima facie obligation to surrender Bailey, citing a strong public interest and the risk of losing sight of the case. Bailey, 63, was convicted in absentia by a Paris court in May 2019 and denied any involvement. He was arrested in December 2019 under a European Arrest Warrant and remanded on bail. The judge, Mr Justice Paul Burns, reserved judgment, to be delivered on 12 October, and Bailey remains on continuing bail until that date. The hearing highlighted the procedural status of the extradition request and the State's obligation to comply with the warrant.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Ireland has bizarrely become 'safe haven' for Ian Bailey, State tells hearing. 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
- May 2013 Incident
- July 2017 Incident
- October 12 Adjournment
- 2020-07-17 Publication
Why: Mr Barron said the reason the respondent could not go to his mother's funeral in May 2013 in the UK was because French authorities were looking for his surrender. CNI source report
Case subjects
Defendant
Charges: the French woman's murder in his absence in a Paris court in May 2019 (Alleged Or Contested)
Outcome: Credit: Collins) Lawyers for the State have told the High Court that "in a bizarre way" Ireland has become a "safe haven" for Ian Bailey, who is facing a 25-year prison sentence for the murder of filmmaker Sophie Toscan du Plantier in France. 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
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
- 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'
- French request for Bailey extradition submissions 'unprecedented'
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