Tánaiste's comments on Sophie Toscan du Plantier case blasted at internal Fine Gael meeting

Comments made by the Fianna Fáil leader at a book launch last week were raised with Taoiseach Simon Harris at the weekly Fine Gael parliamentary party meeting in Leinster House on Wednesday evening

Tánaiste Micheál Martin’s comments on the Sophie Toscan du Plantier case were branded “ill-judged” and “totally unwise” at an internal Fine Gael meeting.

Comments made by the Fianna Fáil leader at a book launch last week were raised with Taoiseach Simon Harris at the weekly Fine Gael parliamentary party meeting in Leinster House on Wednesday evening. Mr Martin made a speech at the launch of journalist Senan Molony’s book, Sophie: The Final Verdict, in Dublin.

In his remarks, he blasted how the State had allegedly failed to “deliver justice” as he criticised how it dealt with the case’s main suspect Ian Bailey. Bailey died in West Cork in January.

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He claimed that the State had failed in its duty to “find and convict a bloody murderer” and “blocked alternative routes when others were not willing to accept our failures”. In 2020, the Irish High Court rejected France’s bid to have Bailey extradited to France. He also claimed that it was “very, very hard to understand” why the case was never put before a jury.

“To the general public, and to many experts and to the judicial system of another democratic state, the evidence against the main suspect was broad and deep,” Mr Martin said.

“He was a violent man who had beaten his partner so badly she had to attend hospital. His psychological profile was that of a violent, impulsive narcissist – a person who had no respect for others. He bore injuries which he failed to properly explain. He intimidated witnesses and may well have succeeded in this.

“When the French state sought justice for its murdered citizen, the Irish courts were successfully used to block its efforts. For every failure there was an excuse.”

The Irish Mirror understands that Mr Martin’s comments were raised at the Fine Gael parliamentary party meeting by Senator Tim Lombard, who will contest the next general election in the Cork South-West constituency where Sophie was murdered.

Sources at the meeting told the Irish Mirror that Mr Lombard branded Mr Martin’s comments “ill-judged” and “totally unwise”. It is understood he expressed concerns that people in West Cork believe he has prejudged the Garda cold case investigation that is currently underway. It is also understood he expressed his belief that people on the ground in West Cork are “unhappy” with the deputy leader of the country intervening in the case.

The Irish Mirror also understands the Tánaiste’s comments about the Bailey case raised eyebrows in some Government circles. Senior Government sources said the case is still live and a cold case investigation is ongoing.

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