Ian Bailey to be granted last request as plan for spreading of his ashes emerges

Irish Daily Mirror

9 hours ago

Ian Bailey is to get his last request - his ashes are to be spread in west Cork this weekend.
A private get together is being organised by his family and friends to say a dignified "goodbye" to the main suspect in the Sophie Toscan du Plantier murder, almost 18 months after his death.
The private service will involve poetry, music and some prayers and at least 20 people are expected to attend.
Among them are his sister Kay Reynolds and the filmmaker Jim Sheridan who has spent the past few years defending the Englishman's innocence.
Ian Bailey has always denied killing French beauty Sophie.
In the weeks before he died from a heart attack he made a 40-minute video tape from his hospital bed telling how he was totally innocent and that his life had been ruined by Sophie's murder, 32 years ago.
That tape is now in the possession of an Irish TV producer and documentary maker and is expected to be screened publicly at some stage.
The 67-year-old former journalist and poet was cremated within days of his sudden death outside his home in Bantry, Co Cork in January last year.
He collapsed from a massive heart attack as he walked down the street. He had suffered heart problems for the previous year and was too weak to undergo surgery.
His sister Kay did not want his funeral to be turned into a media circus so no one was allowed to attend his cremation in Cork city apart from the undertakers.
Bailey told his sister that he wanted his ashes to be spread over his beloved west Cork where he lived most of his life after he passed away.
This will now be done this weekend after the private farewell get together.
A source said: "Details of the event are being kept very quiet and it is a private affair.
"Ian wanted his ashes spread in west Cork so this is what will be happening.
"He may have been a suspect and in many ways an outcast because he was eccentric but there were a small number of people who had time for him and were always in contact.
"They never got the chance to pay their respects or say goodbye, but they will now.
"There will be pints, poetry, music and prayer."
Jim Sheridan has made a new movie on the murder called Re-creation, starring Colin Meaney who plays Bailey and Aidan Gillen.
He is adamant there was no evidence against Ian Bailey to prove he killed Sophie and the film by all accounts reflects this view.
Sophie's family totally disagree and believe the new film contains much fiction and should not have been made while the Garda investigation into the murder is continuing.
Yesterday, Gardai confirmed their review into Sophie's murder despite Ian Bailey's death is still continuing.
In a statement, Gardai said: "The Garda investigation into the murder of Sophie Toscan du Plantier in 1996 remains active and ongoing.
"The Garda Serious Crime Review Team's review into this murder, which began in June 2022, also continues.
"Throughout this investigation An Garda Siochana has appealed to any person with any information in relation to the investigation to come forward in order to assist us.
"Gardai continue to appeal to anyone with information to contact the investigation team at Bantry Garda Station or the Garda Confidential Line on 1800-666111."
Bailey's former partner Jules Thomas disclosed last weekend that she is suffering from a terminal illness.
The couple split up a few years ago but she also still insists he didn't kill Sophie.