Verdict in Bailey murder trial expected today in Paris

THERE should be a verdict today in the trial in Paris of Schull resident Ian Bailey, accused of the murder of Sophie Toscan du Plantier in Toormore in 1996.  

The three judges of the court will decide whether he is guilty or not of the murder of the French film producer over 20 years ago.

The court is expected to begin its deliberations after the prosecution presents its summary this morning.

The three judges have spent three days listening to evidence given by several witnesses who attended in person, including Billy Fuller and Amanda Reed who travelled from Ireland, as well as a number of French witnesses including friends and relatives of Ms Toscan du Plantier.

However, some 22 Irish witnesses that the court had listed to give evidence did not attend though it emerged that three of these are now deceased and in two of these cases, their statements to the gardai as part of the original garda investigation, were read into the evidence.

Former Sunday Tribune news editor Helen Callanan wrote to the court criticising the short notice that was given to witnesses.

She said the summons she received was issued on April 29th this year, posted on May 13th and she received it on May 16th, requesting her to attend in Paris on May 27th, effectively giving her just six working days to organise getting there.

Also read into evidence were garda memos of interview with Bailey’s partner, artist Jules Thomas, who spoke about Mr Bailey having a premonition that something bad was going to happen as they returned to their home at the Prairie, Liscaha, Schull in the early hours of December 23rd 1996.

Bailey has denied ever meeting Ms Toscan du Plantier and he is being tried in absentia and is not legally represented.