Closure for Jules Thomas as she joins Bailey's sister for scattering of ashes
Sophie Toscan du Plantier murder suspect Ian Bailey's ashes were scattered yesterday into the sea at his favourite spot on Dunmanas Bay, west Cork.
His former partner Jules Thomas joined his sister Kay Reynolds in a private scattering of the remainder of his ashes yesterday.
Ms Thomas had devoted 27 years of her life to supporting the self-confessed chief suspect in the unsolved Sophie Toscan du Plantier murder case, amid a lengthy saga of accusations and legal battles, finally giving up on him in the spring of 2021 and throwing him out, she said at the time, 'to save my sanity'. Jules Thomas and Ian Bailey. Pic: Collins Courts
Ms Reynolds – who carried a bag with his ashes, which she received in January 2024 after his cremation in Cork – said yesterday was an opportune time to pay a final farewell to him around midsummer when he had first arrived in Ireland from England.
Having failed to invite Welsh-born Ms Thomas to attend the much-publicised scattering of ashes that were spread on the waters off Skeaghanore pier near Ballydehob overlooking Roaring Water Bay on Friday, Ms Reynolds saved some of them to scatter with Ms Thomas together in private.
She told a contact earlier that the reason the ashes would be scattered at high tide was to make sure 'that they are carried out on the water and don't stay stuck on the rocks'.
She added: 'We have to make sure that he is taken out to sea.' Jules Thomas Ian Bailey Pic: Collins Courts
Ms Thomas has described the scattering of Mr Bailey's ashes as closure, while Ms Reynolds had reached out to the artist asking her to join with her together in a private moment of remembrance.
Ms Reynolds had not been in contact with her brother for some time before his death aged 66 last year. In 2019, Bailey was convicted of murder in absentia by the Cour d'Assises in Paris and sentenced to 25 years in prison.
Ms Reynolds recalled their sorrow that he could not attend their mother Brenda's funeral because he feared he would be arrested and extradited to France to serve a long prison sentence.
She said: 'He felt the cruelty of this very, very much.' She also paid tribute to Ms Thomas, saying she 'had loyally supported him for over 30 years'. Jim Sheridan with Jules Thomas. Pic: Hells Kitchen/Barbara McCarthy via Sky Studios
Friday's ashes-scattering had been attended by a group of Bailey's friends, including filmmaker Jim Sheridan, solicitor Frank Buttimer, documentary-maker Donal MacIntyre and Sam Bungey, who co-produced a podcast about the murder of Ms Toscan du Plantier.
The 39-year-old French filmmaker was murdered outside her holiday home near Toormore, Goleen, Co. Cork, on the night of December 23, 1996.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
RTÉ News
an hour ago
- RTÉ News
French man who robbed Kim Kardashian dies of cancer aged 69
A French robber convicted with seven others of stealing jewellery worth $10 million from reality television star Kim Kardashian in Paris in 2016 has died, a source close to the case said. Didier Dubreucq, 69, was diagnosed with lung cancer during pre-trial detention and had been undergoing chemotherapy. He was among 10 suspects to be tried earlier this year for stealing jewels from the American influencer, including a huge diamond ring from her now ex-husband, rapper Kayne West. Dubreucq was accused of being the second person who stormed into Ms Kardashian's hotel room on the night of 2 October, 2016, but he denied the charges. A Paris court last month sentenced him to seven years in jail, including five suspended, over the robbery. He was absent for the ruling as he was undergoing chemotherapy and did not return to jail as he had already served his two years in pre-trial detention. n April, he had however turned up in court after a chemotherapy session to say he had "nothing to do" with the theft. He said he did not like to be labelled an "armed robber" despite having served a 23-year sentence for past armed robberies. "I'm a good guy," he said, rejecting suggestions that he was a "thug". Since becoming a father at the age of 50, Dubreucq said, he had put an end to the "big mistakes" of the past. None of the eight people convicted last month returned to jail, including 69-year-old ringleader Aomar Ait Khedache, because of the time they had spent behind bars awaiting trial.
The Irish Sun
2 hours ago
- The Irish Sun
Kim Kardashian's ‘grandpa robber' jewel thief dubbed ‘Blue Eyes' dies days after being sentenced over $10m kidnap heist
KIM Kardashian's "grandpa robber" who stole millions worth of her jewellery in a terrifying Paris hotel room heist has died days after being sentenced. Didier Dubreucq, 69, suffered from lung cancer and had to be hospitalized during the trial for the 2016 armed robbery. 5 Didier Dubreucq has died at 69 5 Kim Kardashian had $10million of jewellery stolen off her Credit: AFP 5 A court sketch of Didier Dubreucq during the trial Credit: AFP He was found guilty of in May this year along with six other men and one woman. The thief, dubbed "Blue Eyes", died from his illness on Thursday morning, according to the French authorities. The guilty verdict was handed down on May 23, but Dubreucq did not attend it. He always denied any involvement in the heist. Dubreucq said during interrogation: "There's a case of mistaken identity. "Contrary to appearances in this case, I have nothing to do with it." All the defendants walked free because of their ailing health and advanced age, and the time they've already spent in prison ahead of the trial. , who sentenced the gang, said the state of their health ''prohibits'' them from being incarcerated and none of them were likely to reoffend. Most read in Celebrity Kim told the court that two men had come into her hotel room, bound her with zip ties and held her at gunpoint. They then made off with a stash of valuable jewellery - including Kim's $4million engagement ring from Kanye West. Only one necklace has ever been recovered from the stolen haul after it was dropped as the robbers fled the scene on bikes. More to follow... For the latest news on this story, keep checking back at The U.S. Sun, your go-to destination for the best celebrity news, sports news, real-life stories, jaw-dropping pictures, and must-see videos . Like us on Facebook at 5 Kim Kardashian testifies at court during the trial Credit: Reuters 5
The Irish Sun
3 hours ago
- The Irish Sun
‘Killer' told man he tortured to death he was going to s**g his ex-wife, court told
AN ALLEGED killer told the man he tortured to death he was going to "s**g" his ex-wife, a court heard. Thomas Campbell was discovered naked and bound with duct tape in his hallway after he ambushed on his doorstep. 6 John Belfield is accused of murdering Thomas Campbell Credit: MEN Media 6 Thomas' ex Coleen was previously jailed for plotting the murder Credit: Steve Allen 6 Thomas was found dead by his neighbours Credit: MEN Media Before his death, Thomas had been dating John Belfield's ex Demi-Lee Driver and he was "hostile" about the relationship, it was said. The 31-year-old allegedly masterminded the plot to murder Thomas at his home in Mossley, Greater Manchester. Manchester Crown Court heard he was passed information to aid in the killing by Thomas' ex-wife Coleen Campbell, who has been jailed for 13 years. Jurors were told today Belfield had sent Thomas a message before the horror , saying: "I'm going to s**g her for the point of it as well as saying you like her you soft boy." Giving evidence, he said he later deleted the message as he had been a "bit upset" when he sent it and realised it was a "bad idea". Belfield also denied that he was "obsessed" by his ex-Demi -Thomas' girlfriend - and claimed he was in "multiple" relationships at the time. But jurors heard he had messaged Demi-Lee before the killing to tell her "you're mine". He also text his ex, saying: "You will never have a boyfriend you will have to move country give it a week and you will see why and happens when you take the p***." Most read in The Sun Belfield denied he was threatening Demi-Lee, adding: "I'm not going to do anything to her. She knows I wouldn't do anything to her." The prosecutor said a few days after the messages, Thomas died in the "most terrible way". Jurors heard Thomas was murdered on July 3, 2022, after three men "pounced" on him as he arrived home late from a night out. A post mortem found injuries to his head and neck suggested a "sustained blunt sharp force physical assault". The dad also had burns on his body that were caused by a "hot liquid such as hot water". After his naked body was found by neighbours , Belfied travelled to South America. He allegedly sent a series of texts following the horror - callously joking the victim must have "bled everywhere". His alleged "right-hand man" Reece Steven, who has been jailed for Thomas' murder, replied: "Tommy crumble. Dripping in tom juice everywhere." The court heard a tracking device was placed on Thomas's car and "reconnaissance" was carried out in the days before he died. Belfied allegedly attached the tracker but was not one of the three men who ambushed Thomas, it was said. Read more on the Irish Sun He denies murder and conspiracy to rob. The trial continues. 6 Campbell had passed on information about her ex's whereabouts Credit: MEN Media 6 She was jailed for manslaughter following the horror Credit: MEN Media 6 Thomas was found tortured in his home Credit: MEN Media
