Ian Bailey's solicitor welcomes any DNA breakthroughs in Sophie Tuscan du Plantier case
The solicitor of the late Ian Bailey has welcomed any breakthrough in the case of the murder of Sophie Tuscan du Plantier that could come from an advanced method of DNA collection.
A garda cold case team is awaiting a report on whether M Vac Systems, a US DNA collection expert which has been used in a number of murder cases in the US, could identify her killer, according to The Irish Times.
Exhibits being tested include the flat rock and large cavity block found at the scene and Ms Toscan du Plantier's dressing gown, leggings, vest and boots.
It is hoped that that any evidence obtained will allow Forensic Science Ireland to make comparisons with DNA samples from some 10 people identified as suspects during the original Garda investigation.
Speaking to RTÉ's This Week, solicitor Frank Buttimer said his former client had 'voluntarily provided DNA to establish his innocence' many years ago.
Solicitor Frank Buttimer
He described it as 'extraordinary' and 'worrying' that any alleged link or connection could be proposed given the passage of time and the fact the late Mr Bailey is 'not around to defend his name'.
Asked whether the information should be made public in the event Mr Bailey's DNA is found at the scene, Mr Buttimer said: 'I'm sure that in certain quarters there would be a rush to provide such information.
"Because in my belief, and certainly in my experience, that within certain sections of the police, there is still this ongoing belief that there is some kind of a link or connection between Mr Bailey and the crime that he has denied throughout his life from the time onwards that it happened, but I suspect that that would certainly emerge into the public domain for one reason or another.
He said there has 'always been a rush to put Mr Bailey's name out there as being connected with this offence in certain quarters'.
Sophie Tuscan Du Plantier. Picture by Patrick Zimmermann/AFP via Getty Images
Mr Buttimer said there would be legal implications in the event that a suspect is identified.
"Insofar as Ian Bailey is concerned, we have this thing in Irish law called the presumption of innocence. Ian Bailey is presumed innocent by the State of Ireland,' he said.
"He was never prosecuted, as we know, a completely spurious case was taken against him in France, where he was found guilty, but that was a predictable event.
"Were it to be the case that DNA points the finger in some other quarter, perhaps the French who were so vigorous in their pursuit of him might take time to reflect upon what happened to Ian Bailey during the course of his life."
He said Mr Bailey was 'always hounded and pursued over the 27 or 28 years from the time of that dreadful crime to the time of his death, it destroyed his life.'
Asked whether the DNA testing could provide a breakthrough in the case, Mr Buttimer said his understanding is that the technology has not been tested in the Irish courts.
"The one thing that would be of concern to me would have been the idea that he's just not around to defend himself, if there was any suggestion of any connection between him and the sampling.'
He said DNA evidence can be 'challenged' in certain circumstance and it is 'not the be all and end all of criminal investigation and forensic assessment'.
"I would absolutely say that every avenue should be pursued of any inquiry that's available to get to the truth of this appalling crime,' he added.
"It's a stain on on us, really, and it's a stain on our policing and our system. And if anything can be done, even at this late stage, I would absolutely welcome that.'
British journalist Ian Bailey. Photo: Collins
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Extra.ie
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