Ian Bailey claims ‘strong, complete xenophobia’ by gardaí

Ian Bailey has said gardaí told him he was wrong if he thought an Englishman could come over here and "get away with this" during his questioning in connection with the murder of French film-maker Sophie Toscan du Plantier in west Cork.

When he was given a black and tan shirt as a replacement for clothing sought by gardaí, he regarded that as a “coded message” because he is English, Mr Bailey said.

When Luán O Braonáin, for the State, put to him that gardaí never said anything to him about being English and never said he need not think an Englishman could come over here and get away with this, Mr Bailey said that had happened.

There was “very strong, complete xenophobia”, he said.

Asked about events during his arrest and questioning at Bandon Garda station on February 10th, 1997, Mr Bailey agreed he was asked did he want a solicitor and when he said he did, a solicitor arrived and he consulted with him for about 26 minutes.

Mr Bailey said he had made no complaint to a doctor who attended on him for the purpose of taking a blood sample and said he would not have thought of making a complaint.

He also agreed he had been checked on by the duty sergeant on a number of occasions and was provided with tea, food and cigarettes.

He was not complaining he was given a black and tan shirt to change into. He just thought it was “possibly a coded message” and he took it as such.When counsel asked: “Because you’re English?”, he said: “Because I’m English.”

“It was made clear to me during interrogation if you think an Englishman is going to come over here and get away with this you are wrong.”

He denied he had not complained at all about replacement clothing given to him. When counsel put to him he had said he was given a “very fine” replacement jacket, to wear, he said he was “probably being sarcastic”.

When he said he could not see what harm could be done with his belt and laces, which were taken from him, counsel said that is standard procedure because people have self-harmed and the State has been sued in that regard.

Mr Bailey remains under cross-examination in his continuing action against the Garda Commissioner and State over the Garda investigation into the murder of Ms Toscan du Plantier, in west Cork, in December 1996. Her body was found near Toormore, Schull, on the morning of December 23rd, 1996.

The defendants deny Mr Bailey’s claims, including of wrongful arrest, false imprisonment and conspiracy.

The case continues.