LATEST | 

Sophie’s family and campaign group vow to continue fight after Ian Bailey’s death

‘Ian Bailey entangled himself in lies and contradictions’

Today at 11:03

The campaign group that secured the French prosecution of Ian Bailey (66) for the murder of Sophie Toscan du Plantier (39) today vowed to continue their campaign to secure justice for the mother-of-one despite his death last Sunday.

ASSOPH, the Association for the Truth about the Murder of Sophie Toscan du Plantier, today vowed that they will continue to campaign amid hope that “new elements” will finally reveal the precise circumstances of the death of the French film executive in the early hours of December 23 1996.

In a statement today, ASSOPH claimed that Mr Bailey had “taunted” the police over the past three decades – and claimed that the Irish judicial authorities never wanted to extradite him to France despite three attempts to do so since 2010.

“On January 21, 2024, Ian Bailey passed away, 27 years after the horrific murder committed in Ireland against Sophie Toscan du Plantier, born Bouniol,” they said.

“The Paris Criminal Court sentenced him in absentia on May 31, 2019, to 25 years in prison for murder.

“Despite this trial and France’s repeated requests for his extradition, Ian Bailey remained free, never facing charges from the Irish justice system.

“Throughout these years, Ian Bailey refused to answer the questions of French investigators, entangling himself in lies and contradictions. Provoking and taunting the police, the judiciary, and the media, Ian Bailey always avoided telling the truth about this murder, of which, beyond any reasonable doubt, he knew every detail.

“Irish judicial authorities never wanted to charge him or extradite him to France, in disregard of European commitments based on the principle of mutual trust between States, which Ireland signed and ratified.”

Sophie Toscan du Plantier family and campaign group vow to continue fight after Ian Bailey’s death –

Ian Bailey dies after suffering suspected heart attack

“With Bailey’s death, Sophie’s family and our association will never be able to obtain a confession from Ian Bailey.”

“We continue our efforts for truth and justice. An investigation is underway in Ireland, and we are confident that the discovery of new elements, the hearing of new witnesses, and the revelation of possible complicity will enable Irish police to close the case, 27 years after the murder.”

Mr Bailey collapsed and died from a suspected heart attack on Barrack Street in Bantry at lunchtime last Sunday.

He had suffered a number of heart attacks late last year but was too ill to undergo planned bypass and stent surgery.

Despite desperate attempts to aid him at the scene, he was pronounced dead before he could be rushed to Bantry General Hospital (BGH).

Details of his funeral arrangements have yet to be confirmed.

Mr Bailey, who was born in Manchester, was arrested twice by Gardaí in 1997 and 1998 for questioning in respect of Sophie’s murder.

He was released without charge on both occasions and vehemently protested his innocence.

Mr Bailey later sued eight Irish and British newspapers for libel after claiming he was branded as the murderer.

He also took an action – which he lost – against the State for wrongful arrest.

After an eight year French investigation, he was prosecuted for Sophie’s murder at a Paris trial in May 2019 and convicted of her murder.

He was sentenced to 25 years in prison – but had to be tried in absentia after he refused to attend the French hearing which he dismissed as “a show trial” and “a mockery of justice.”

The French failed on three separate occasions since 2010 to have Mr Bailey extradited to France.

The Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) studied the Garda case file but ruled out any charges in 2000/2001 citing lack of evidence.

A Garda cold case review is currently underway and will continue despite Mr Bailey’s death.

The Garda investigation into Sophie’s death has been open and active over the past 27 years.

Also speaking today, the family of Sophie Toscan du Plantier said they will “follow up” on the criminal investigation against Ian Bailey despite his passing, the family lawyer said.

A Paris lawyer Alain Spilliaert acting for the family of Sophie Toscan du Plantier spoke about the family’s reaction to Ian Bailey’s death.

While speaking to RTÉ Radio One’s Morning Ireland, he said: “What we understand on a legal point of view, Bailey was sentenced in absentia by the Criminal Court of Paris a few years ago.”

“In Ireland, he was considered to be the prime suspect.

“If the prime suspect in a criminal investigation dies, then the criminal investigation continues.

“So this is how it is, so we will follow this up,” he added.

When asked whether knowing a charge could have been brought against Mr Bailey despite he will not stand in Court would give solace to the family, the lawyer said the family was fighting for “justice” and the “complete truth”.

“If you get the complete truth, it’s already very, very important for the family,” he said.

He confirmed the family has been satisfied with two Garda teams of “very high professional level Garda members” who were working on the case.

“We were satisfied with that, we were expecting that in due course Ian Bailey would be questioned by the guards, and unfortunately, Bailey died on Sunday, so this won’t be possible.”

“The family and the association is keen to continue their efforts for justice for them, for Sophie, and also for Ireland, and for the people of West Cork, this wonderful region of West Cork,” he added.

“To understand the feeling of the family, everybody’s asked to take into consideration the fact that this murder happened 25 years ago.

“And as everybody knows, this family is watching an image of dignity and courage, which is quite incredible, in their quest for justice,” he added.