Innocent Bailey targeted, says lawyer

REACTION:THE DECISION by Mr Justice Michael Peart to allow Ian Bailey leave to appeal his surrender to France was yesterday welcomed by Mr Bailey's lawyer, Frank Buttimer, who said his client was innocent of the murder of Sophie Toscan du Plantier.

Mr Buttimer welcomed the decision to certify an appeal and to put a stay on Mr Bailey’s extradition to France pending that appeal to the Supreme Court. “Mr Bailey is pleased that the judge has decided that the case is one that is of such fundamental public importance that he ought to be allowed appeal the matter to the Supreme Court,” said Mr Buttimer.

Mr Bailey (54) stood beside his lawyer outside the Four Courts as Mr Buttimer went on to reiterate his client had nothing to do with the murder of Ms Toscan du Plantier near Schull, Co Cork, in December 1996.

“Mr Bailey is innocent . . . I have looked at this case from every point of view I can. I believe he has been targeted . . . as the person who committed the crime, which he did not. He has an extremely difficult life since this crime . . . And while I repeat my expression of sorrow on behalf of the family of the late Madame Toscan du Plantier, they are misguided in their view Mr Bailey has anything to do with this crime.”

Mr Buttimer said the case would involve “quite a lot of technical issues” and while there would be a lot of debate on a particular point raised by Mr Justice Peart, it would be speculative to predict when it will come before the Supreme Court.

Lawyer Alain Spilliaert, who acts for Ms Toscan du Plantier’s parents, Georges and Marguerite Bouniol, said they were disappointed at yesterday’s decision but they remained confident the Supreme Court would uphold the decision to extradite.

“I believe Mr Justice Peart has already addressed this issue of extraterritoriality very well and reviewed the points made by Mr Bailey’s lawyers so we are confident for the Supreme Court appeal and we hope the case will now proceed very swiftly,” said Mr Spilliaert.