THE FIXING of a date for the extradition hearing of Ian Bailey has been put back by the High Court until the new legal term later this year.
Mr Justice Michael Peart sitting at Court 21 of the Criminal Courts of Justice in Dublin yesterday adjourned the matter until October 13th but heard Mr Bailey was “anxious to get a date”.
Authorities in France are seeking Mr Bailey’s extradition in connection with the murder of French woman Sophie Toscan du Plantier 13 years ago.
Yesterday, the court heard the State was not yet in a position to respond to certain issues being raised in the case because a sworn affidavit from a French lawyer had not been filed. Justice Peart said he was “concerned” about the delay in this being filed, as there had been a “lengthy” passage of time since Mr Bailey’s arrest. He said he could not allow the case to “be adjourned indefinitely”.
Lawyers for Mr Bailey were told the affidavit from the French lawyer was to be filed in August during the vacation period for the courts.
The High Court has already heard that among the points of objection being raised by Mr Bailey, in his fight against his extradition, are an unlawful attempt to “subvert” the DPP’s decision not to prosecute him in connection with the investigation into the French woman’s death, and an unlawful interference with Mr Bailey’s constitutional right to liberty.