The High Court has refused to hand Ian Bailey over to authorities in France where he’s wanted to stand trial for the killing of Sophie Toscan du Plantier.
The French filmmaker was found beaten to death near her holiday home in Schull in west Cork just before Christmas 1996.
Mr. Bailey was arrested twice in the years that followed Sophie Toscan du Plantier’s death but never charged with anything.
In 2012, the Supreme Court blocked France’s first attempt to have him extradited because there was no actual intention to try him as required.
That’s since changed and the French issued a fresh warrant.
But Mr. Justice Tony Hunt refused to surrender him on the basis the Minister for Justice can’t obtain such an order because of the Supreme Court judgement and described the attempt to do so as an abuse of process.
Mr. Bailey was clearly relieved with today’s judgement but didn’t get too carried away because he fears his ordeal is far from over.
He’s due back in court on Wednesday to hear if his civil appeal against the State and Gardaí has been successful.
