COUNSEL FOR IAN Bailey have said that taped conversations have shown an “extraordinary level of communication” between gardaí and the media over the investigation into the 1996 murder of Sophie Toscan du Plantier.
The High Court heard today that Bailey’s legal team have received transcripts of some of the 130 tapes that are in existence and that the show that contact between gardaí and journalists was “beyond belief”.
The tapes detailed “hundreds and hundreds” of conversations according to Patrick Giblin SC.
The tapes came to light as part of a civil action being taken by Bailey who says he was wrongfully arrested by gardaí over the murder of the French film maker.
The High Court heard that gardaí have been transcribing the tapes since February and are still in the process of doing so.
Giblin, acting on behalf of Bailey, told the court that a “large number of gardaí” are involved in transcribing the tapes.
Neither side in the case were aware of the existence of the tapes until a number of weeks ago and both asked Justice John Hedigan for more time to read through and review the transcripts.
Bailey’s legal team say that they have received 12 new boxes of material within the past two weeks from the State, much of which he is redacted.
They are also seeking the identity of three senior gardaí named in garda memo that was prepared by the DPP.
Judge John Hedigan adjourned the case until 9 May for parties to review the new material and added that the case itself would be slated to begin in November.
The case is due to be heard before a jury.
The Judge told the parties to make a specific effort to adhere to the time limits imposed and warned about media reporting of certain aspects of the case.
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