Ian Bailey solicitor: 'France mocking Irish law’

Ian Bailey solicitor: 'France mocking Irish law’
Ian Bailey at the Country market in Schull, Co. Cork. 

FRANCE has “no respect” for Ireland’s legal system, according to Ian Bailey’s solicitor, Frank Buttimer.

Next week, Mr Bailey will be charged in absentia at a trial in Paris with the 1996 murder of Sophie Toscan du Plantier

Mr Bailey, who has never been charged in Ireland and who has been protected from extradition by the Irish courts, will not be co-operating with the French trial.

Meanwhile, the son of Ms Toscan du Plantier, Pierre-Louis Baudey Vignaud, was in Goleen yesterday, where he urged witnesses to travel to Paris to testify at the murder trial, which is set to begin next Monday.

Pierre Louis Baudey-Vignaud the son of murdered Frenchwoman Sophie Toscan du Plantier in Goleen, West Cork, for the mass for his mother at the Church of Our Lady, Star of the Sea and St Patrick. Picture Dan Linehan
Pierre Louis Baudey-Vignaud the son of murdered Frenchwoman Sophie Toscan du Plantier in Goleen, West Cork, for the mass for his mother at the Church of Our Lady, Star of the Sea and St Patrick. Picture Dan Linehan

Speaking to RTÉ, Mr Buttimer called it a “show trial” that undermines the Irish courts.

“It is one jurisdiction telling another jurisdiction that its criminal justice system isn’t up to standard, and that it is the standard that is measured by the other jurisdiction, where I personally think that their system isn’t up to the standard that we have, but we respect their system. They clearly have no respect for ours,” he said.

Mr Baudey Vignaud told mass-goers in Goleen that the people of West Cork must “stand against violence”.

“My mother, Sophie, is not a ghost,” he said. “She is the victim of human cruelty and violence, which has no place here. This is a trial of a crime that does not fit with what Ireland is like and does not fit with what you, Irish people, are.”

more Cork crime articles

Peep Hole in the door to a Prison Cell Woman who tried on €3.6k diamond ring in Cork jewellers and replaced it with fake one jailed
Telehandler used in theft of ATM from Bank of Ireland in east Cork Telehandler used in theft of ATM from Bank of Ireland in east Cork
Garda investigation launched in Cork following second armed robbery in three days Garda investigation launched in Cork following second armed robbery in three days

More in this section

Modern Train at Cork Station Platform in Ireland Public consultation on proposed new train depot near East Cork town
Two Cork students who scored top Leaving Cert results share the secrets to their success  Two Cork students who scored top Leaving Cert results share the secrets to their success 
Remote Scottish island to unveil statue celebrating link to St Finbarr of Cork Remote Scottish island to unveil statue celebrating link to St Finbarr of Cork

Sponsored Content

Transform your career, your way: choose MTU part-time education Transform your career, your way: choose MTU part-time education
Keeping their house in order: How PSRA regulation has raised the bar for Ireland’s property services sector Keeping their house in order: How PSRA regulation has raised the bar for Ireland’s property services sector
"My master's at UL taught me that structured learning and a demanding career can coexist" "My master's at UL taught me that structured learning and a demanding career can coexist"
Contact Us Cookie Policy Privacy Policy Terms and Conditions

© Examiner Echo Group Limited

Add Echolive.ie to your home screen - easy access to Cork news, views, sport and more