Posted by SUSPECT Ian Bailey’s DNA is set to be tested by the FBI against the bloodied clothes of murder victim Sophie Toscan du Plantier, as part of a new probe.
As it emerged her garments were to be subjected to the latest analysis, we can reveal Bailey voluntarily gave his own DNA before he died — in a bid to clear his name.
A French court found Ian Bailey guilty of the killing in 2019 in absentiaThe 39-year-old Frenchwoman, a film producer, was found dead at the bottom of a drive leading to a holiday home at Dunmanus West, Toormore, west Cork in 1996.
So far, only her blood has ever been found at the murder scene, but investigators now hope her killer may be uncovered through new forensic testing.
Items of Sophie’s clothing were brought over to US-based police by gardai, it was revealed.
A source close to Englishman Bailey — who died from a heart attack in January 2023 outside his home in Bantry, Co Cork — said he’d volunteered to give samples to experts, as part of his efforts to prove his innocence for the crime, which he always denied.TIMELINE OF SOPHIE CASE
December 23, 1996: Sophie’s battered body, still in night clothes, is found outside her holiday home near Schull, west Cork, by a neighbour.
February 10, 1997: Ian Bailey is arrested at his home for the murder but is later released.
April 17, 1997: Inquest hears Sophie died from multiple injuries, including laceration of the brain and skull fracture, caused by a blunt instrument.
January 27, 1998: Ian Bailey is arrested and quizzed for a second time, but is again released without charge.
January 2002: A review is ordered into the murder investigation after a highly critical report is written by a solicitor.
June 2008: A French magistrate orders the exhumation of Sophie’s body for a post-mortem and forensic examination.
July 2008: An inquiry into the handling of the murder probe recommends no prosecution.
June to October 2009: French authorities travel to West Cork to view the crime scene and meet Irish investigators. Two Garda detectives travel to Paris for quiz on probe.
February 19, 2010: A French judge issues a European Arrest Warrant.
April 23, 2010: Gardai arrest Bailey and he is brought before the High Court and granted bail.
March 18, 2011: High Court orders Bailey to surrender to European arrest warrant but he appeals to Supreme Court.
March 1, 2012: The Supreme Court rules in Bailey’s favour in his appeal against extradition.
May 31, 2019: Bailey is found guilty of Sophie’s murder in his absence in France. He is sentenced to 25 years in jail.
June 21, 2019: French authorities issue a third European Arrest Warrant.
October 12, 2020: High Court rules against Bailey being extradited. Later, State decides not to appeal. It ends attempts to extradite Bailey.
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