A French court has found Ian Bailey GUILTY of the murder of Sophie Toscon du Plantier.
The 62-year-old, who was tried in his absence, has been sentenced to 25 years in prison while a new arrest warrant has been issued by judges.
He has always denied any involvement in her murder. Ms. du Plantier was found dead at her holiday home near Toormore in West Cork on December 23rd 1996.
Presiding judge Frederique Aline listed all the evidence presented to the court during the trial, saying there was “significant evidence” of Bailey’s guilt.
She jailed Bailey for 25 years and ordered that a new EU arrest warrant be issued.
Judge Aline said there would be an announcement on June 11th about how much compensation Bailey would be ordered to pay Ms Toscan du Plantier’s family.
Ms Toscan du Plantier’s body was found on an isolated hillside in Toormore, near Schull, west Cork, two days before Christmas in 1996, a Paris court heard.
She was the wife of celebrated cinematographer Daniel Toscan du Plantier and her death has been one of Ireland’s most famous unsolved killings.
