A French court has convicted Ian Bailey, a British former journalist, of the murder of French film-maker Sophie Toscan du Plantier, who was battered to death in west Cork in 1996. The cour d'assises in Paris sentenced Bailey, 62, to 25 years in prison on Friday, delivering the verdict in his absence.
The victim's relatives embraced after the ruling, and her son Pierre-Louis Baudey-Vignaud hailed it as "a victory for justice". Bailey, who lives near Bantry, County Cork, denies any involvement and told the Guardian it was "a pyrrhic victory". He said he was trying to keep his spirits high, paraphrasing Beatles lyrics: "Have you heard the news today? Oh boy."
Irish police identified Bailey as the prime suspect after Toscan du Plantier's body was found outside her holiday cottage on 23 December 1996. He had cuts on his face and hands and a history of violence, but no forensic evidence linked him to the scene. A key witness recanted testimony, and Irish prosecutors concluded there was insufficient evidence to press charges.
French authorities brought the case to Paris under a law allowing the trial of a person suspected of murdering a French citizen abroad. The conviction is expected to lead to a new European arrest warrant, though Irish courts have previously rejected two extradition requests. Bailey's solicitor, Frank Buttimer, described the proceedings as a "show trial".
Public prosecutor Jean-Pierre Bonthoux criticised the earlier Irish investigation, saying it had examined evidence "on a segmented basis" rather than as a whole. He accused Bailey of cowardice for not attending the trial. Bailey insisted he had no plans to leave west Cork.
