The day I first came face to face with murder suspect Ian Bailey

The death of Ian Bailey brings to an end his role as a celebrity suspect in the tragic murder of Sophie Toscan Du Plantier.
Convicted in a French court of her brutal killing yet still an innocent man under Irish law the life and death of Bailey has been as complex as the murder inquiry that put the West Cork village of Schull on the international map.
Today Niall Donald asks Nicola about her own interaction with Bailey over the years, about his creepy personality and about a moment of drama involving the 6 foot 6 suspect and a flock of angry geese.
Follow us
- TikTok: / crimeworldnicolatallant
- Twitter: / crimenicola
- Instagram: / crimeworldwithnicolata...
Listen
- Apple Podcasts: podcasts.apple.com/ie/podcast...
- Spotify: open.spotify.com/show/65o6FlP...

[@jimbanda]

This podcast guys is riddled with inconsistencies and is actually disrespectful to both Sofie and Mr Bailey. It was another man that put forward the "Horse" theory and that was NEVER given credence by Bailey, mentioned but not believed by him. The date of the brutal murder was not in the stone age, there were very very advanced forensics even at that time, and the failure to adequately preserve the scene is and has always been unforgivable. Possible blood stains on the gate! DNA technology was sufficient to analyse that even then and also blood type could be established. So it was always easier and more convenient for for the powers that be to point the finger repeatedly at Mr Bailey than to say they made a monumental mess of the crime scene and the preservation of potential evidence for future advances in forensic technology, the investigative methods and procedures were entirely inept, so much so that it's dishonest to say "ah well, those were the times" blah blah... It was 1996/1997. Gardai observed scratches and cuts on Bailey?? They did not even write a proper note on that, did not request a picture etc. The investigation was soo bad, soo inept and soo keystone cops that it has left an indelible stain on the Gardai, and I say that as a person who supports the Gardai, and I think they should be much better resourced and increased in numbers. The State Pathologist was told to continue his Christmas shopping and enjoy his night ffs? Instead of been flown down to Cork immediately and he should have insisted on such urgency instead of strolling around Grafton St without a care in the world, it was his job, he took the job and he should have been true to his vocation. Strangely, if just enough evidence was gathered to charge Mr Bailey, he would likely have been acquitted and got on with his life without the constant finger pointing, or if forensic evidence was preserved and had pointed to him, he would have been found guilty and served his time and likely be alive now. The fact that Sofie ran away from the potential safety is an issue of interest that was NEVER explained by the Gardai, nor were there any longwinded media analysis of that fact. Could be an assailant out flanked her possibility of running in those directions, could be she was already assaulted and disorientated, but other possibilities were not investigated by the thousands of media articles and documentaries. I cannot recall even seeing an interview or a detail of who lived up that lane way, except Sofie. There were children at that time who were not interviewed either. Multiple members of the Gardai should have been sacked and/or reprimanded, Mr Harbison should have been compelled to give an explanation of his lack of urgency. We simply don't know if a murderer or an entirely innocent but much maligned person has recently passed away. 😢

[@owen1304]

You know to much jim !!! Was it you

[@jimbanda]

@@owen1304 Tis all on record, it just depends on how you interpret the info, but some of it is soo available that it's laughable how many times our intrepid duo misquoted stuff, like 'Bailey got up at 10pm and left the house until....' says our Niall, except witnesses (on the record) had him and the missus in the pub until well after that time. But you do have a point!! Big Government don't like us to know "too much" or "too many" facts, when THEY f_u@k up. We can now make a guess, Mr Bailey is dead, I'd be 75% convinced he did murder the lady. What do you think??

[@jimbanda]

@@owen1304 I afraid the YT spooks are on my case, as my earlier to you was removed, for god knows what reason. Free Speech? I only criticised the Gov 😭

[@brianfeely9239]

I think you re certainly correct that a litany of mistakes were made. Whether that was a case of gross incompetence or something more sinister is difficult to know.

[@jimbanda]

@@brianfeely9239 The latter would be a worry. I always hoped it was the former. But rewarding somebody with weed is probably a bit sinister. The rebuttals that the dpp made public is very interesting, I think anyone who is curious to know about the case can get a good grounding in reading it. Mr Baileys long time Solicitor made some very interesting statements last week regarding the actual effort and logistics that a drunken Mr Bailey would have had to make in order to be the culprit, he certainly gave cause for thought in fav of Bailey not been remotely near the place on the awful night. God rest them all now. 🙏

[@cheapy2006]

45:00 Watch Niall's sudden descent into total mortification, and the way Nicola delights in the way she can add to his embarrassment. His face goes the same colour as the background!!!

[@weller17]

Refresh the intro Nicola it’s ,a close second too we buy any car ,we buy any car ffs 🤦‍♂️

[@jimbanda]

Or those awful Temu ads 😅

[@kevincallaghan3212]

Yes the world think were al coke heads including grannys&grandads

[@SnakePlisskin.]

😅

[@daveselbow9128]

let Nicola advertise her live show ffs!

[@lyndawilson3297]

😂😂😂😂😂😂

[@reddevil310]

Watching from the UK , a great podcast, I'd followed this since covid, it's still very murky . I hope the family now have some sort of peace. Congratulations to both of you for giving cases for both sides. Fresh evidence concerning a German drummer that committed suicide???? This case will always remain unsolved and a mystery.

[@freedomunltd]

There was so little attention given to thet German guy who lived only one mile from Sophie’s cottage, who was a musician in local pubs, who could not account for his whereabouts or actions in the early hours in question, a man who returned very quickly back to Germany then committed suicide very shortly afterwards after confessing to his friend that he had ‘done a terrible thing’. Why was this avemue never properly explored?

[@davescannell4558]

NOW TV had a great documentary about Sophie’s murder. In that they said the DPP had said there was absolutely no evidence there to charge Ian with Sophie’s death

[@fredbloggs545]

Yup, you can read it yourself. Search for: Sophie Toscan Du Plantier DPP File 2001 pdfcoffee

[@elizabethoconnorflynn3710]

Im Sure i read that the ex wife in England declared Ian had not ever struck her

[@JackBurton-qp4hc]

You read right.

[@fredbloggs545]

The DV appears to be limited to his relationship with Jules.

[@lauradesmarais2044]

She said he tried to choke her out.

[@fredbloggs545]

@@lauradesmarais2044 Except Bailey won a libel trial proving it was nonsense printed in the paper.

[@JackBurton-qp4hc]

@@lauradesmarais2044 "She said he tried to choke her out." That was claimed in the papers, which was later found to be not true and he won damages for the story.

[@DeDonRock]

Could you not of titled that just a little bit different out of respect for his family. Like ffs the man has being tried and convicted without even reviewing a charge sheet from de dpp. How about a title like Ian baley witchunt subject causes I'll health and eventually the inevitable death. Rip poor man and family this isn't rite stick to wat you've a half an idea about all them young fellas in tracksuits that r in your wet dreams lol

[@rozdoyle8872]

Ian Bailey was from the North of England and dark humour is normal there , he was used as a Scapegoat and there is no more to it ,

[@freedomunltd]

You are so right - Ian Bailey was hounded to his death through being wrongfully accused and persecuted for this awful crime. He was consistent in his being innocent of this crime until the very end. RIP Ian Bailey and Sophie

[@denismccarthy-zv2cw]

your nailed it.

[@itstherefsfault7083]

Niall a top bloke, great show👍

[@daveselbow9128]

he d'boss

[@laurielovett8849]

Ian never said she was killed by a horse,actually he laughed about that theory He was sewn up

[@jessgunn6639]

before sophies murder i was chatting to a friend outside the temp court house in cork, bailey came up behind us grabbed my friends arm and flung her out onto the road into traffiic, i will never forget the look on his face and i have no doubts in my mind he went on to commit murder. also theres one of jules daughters would agree with me!.

[@random6809]

Jules' daughters gave statements in support of Bailey.

[@jessgunn6639]

one of them hasn`t@@random6809

[@fredbloggs545]

@@jessgunn6639 They BOTH gave statements supporting IB.

[@jessgunn6639]

the eldest girl with drew her original statement years ago!@@fredbloggs545

[@zed351]

@@jessgunn6639 No she did not. Both attest to him having scratches before the murder.

[@BC4678081]

No hoof print.. 😂😂

[@acb5245]

Dr. Grande, has made an exellent analyses of this case. You could also look at the behavioral panel.

[@fredbloggs545]

LMFAO Grande? Another kook.

[@arcacoma3524]

Two things..Firstly whether he did it or not,he certainly didn't help himself at all in any way shape or form..He's totally and absolutely to blame for the way his path in life turned out,no one elses fault but his own..Secondly..Only in this Country could law enforcement lose a gate and make it stay lost forever..Tom and Gerry,Laurel and Hardy,wouldn't have a look in when it comes to the Garda comedy club that was investigating this case in Cork...Ps..I bet not one Guard was held responsible or taken to task over this whole sorry fiasco,they probably thought they did a great job,after all not one person in Ireland hasn't been affected by the loss of a gate at one time or another,it's well and truly part of the fabric of our society.

[@freedomunltd]

Ian protested his innocence for decades but in the public mind he was such an assertive character that did not fade away and hide in a hole with sackcloth and ashes for the rest of his life like a good little boy, that he was picked on more than ever by the media and in every pub and shop in the whole of Cork and further afield. It was a travesty of justice and Ian never got the chance to clear his name.

[@1984petrus1]

Ian Bailey had a Tiktok account 🤣

[@hall2ify]

Nicola theres no facts linking him to the case

[@elizabethoconnorflynn3710]

Sad end. He looked so ill.

[@kathleenkeane4364]

Nicola, i enjoy you always Can you resurrect the murder of Patrick Nugent at Bunratty Castle, never got justice, surely people there that night must know, are they afraid of something.

[@michaelmulvihill8560]

Coming up on Crimecall Monday night

[@kathleenkeane4364]

@@michaelmulvihill8560 Thanks Michael,at least people will be reminded about it, probably same as years ago, but someone might talk now,delighted is coming on.Thank you for your time.

[@acb5245]

Delusions of grandeur, delusions of persecution, inflated sense of entitlement, no boundary recognition, the perpeptual victim, no empathy……Ian Bailey in ny opinion, was a malignant narcissist who exercised coersive control over Jules Thomas. Jules Thomas’s father, was an eminent psychiatrist, by the way. I think she suffers from post-traumatic brain-injury from all those beatings she sustained. The DPP had predjudicial and preconceived notions , conserning the circumstantial evidence , which supported Ian Baileys innosense. This cognitive bias or distortion, destroyed the DPPs objectivity. The lack of forensic evidence, doesnt mean Ian Bailey is innocent. He’s convicted on the basis of circumstantial evidence in France. Does this mean he is innocent? Ireland should have prosecuted him IF, he was aquitted , he could have debunked all allegations of his involvement, and reject futher prosecution. This case is closed. The Gardie and the States pathologist, fucked up the evidence. They should be prosecuted for negligence.

[@fredbloggs545]

". I think she suffers from post-traumatic brain-injury from all those beatings she sustained." Have you examined her? What are your medical qualifications? "The DPP had predjudicial and preconceived notions , conserning the circumstantial evidence , which supported Ian Baileys innosense. " The DPP are the *PROSECUTION* why on Earth would the *PROSECUTION* destroy their own investigation in such a way? *YOUR* bias is showing making that utterly ridiculous accusation against two experienced Barristers who, unlike you, studied all the evidence for years. That comment makes zero sense on every level, except for your obvious bias. "He’s convicted on the basis of circumstantial evidence in France." Yes, such as Marie Farrell saying she saw him, which she admitted is lies. The court used that lie. You believe that to be unbiased do you? Why are you not criticising the French for blatant bias then, only the Irish? They literally used a lie to convict a person. Yeah *YOUR* bias is clear to see.

[@injacreatives9680]

What made Ian Bailey look guilty for me is his endless sleezy articles that were all ideas that directed thinking towards many other suspects. He never showed any empathy or shock or distress towards her death, he makes himself the star of the tragedy, it's all about him.l

[@injacreatives9680]

I think , as she had said she was meant to meet him, he got drunk and took off to her place, she was remarkably beautiful and he being grandiose thought he could seduce her and he lost his temper, when she got afraid he attacked and killed her.

[@random6809]

@@injacreatives9680 As a gutter journalist it was his job to write such articles, where do you think the red tops get their made up nonsense articles from? He has in fact shown empathy, you haven't bothered looking.

[@hall2ify]

France case was a joke

[@keithp6699]

Niall is very good looking. I wonder what his status is?

[@johnkeating4221]

Seems a long winded way of saying nothing.

[@stephenflynn1003]

Wot about the sergent down there, who is dead now, ive heard he was corupt and a bully, any truth in that ?

[@raycorrigan3297]

Where did u hear that? Down the pub😅😅😅😅😅.

[@stephenflynn1003]

@@raycorrigan3297 no not in the pub, i gave up the drink 10 yr ago, in research from wittness who were bullied by said sergent , ive no dog in the race, i just think granded mr bailey was a bit odd, and could get a bit violant after drinkingvwhiskey dosent make him a murderer, i think he was used as a fall guy, sure the garda made a mess of cordoning of murder scene if i was sophies family id be sueing irish state for neglegence

[@raycorrigan3297]

@@stephenflynn1003 no evidence of bullying that’s hearsay.

[@stephenflynn1003]

@@raycorrigan3297 , so are you from west cork ? And you no this copper sergent who was bullying locals stealing sheep and other stuff, alleagaly not well liked and that came from someone who lives there and new him, he dead now, i just think mr baily was a patsy, and english so he was a easy target, if bailey did it he left no D.n.a , then you had the key stone cops miss laying a fucking massive farm double gate which wud of been full of blood spatter, c,mon think outside the box, her x husband he could of wanted sole custody of young son, so he was rich could he not of arranged someone to take her out allegely, none of us are angels ,

[@thebigloc1]

Many people have said he was corrupt ​@@raycorrigan3297

[@thebigloc1]

Ian said the evening Sophie died he had scratches on his hands from cutting down a tree for Christmas and killing a turkey. The Gardaí never asked to see where the tree was cut. There would have been a stump of the tree left. If he killed a turkey they could have asked where and some feathers may have been there. He was left into Sophie's house before any finger prints were taken so did he do it so he could say of course my finger prints were there I went to the loo there the day after she died. The gardaí did not corden off the scene when should have at the beginning so others foot prints contaminated the area. Also, the big gate that was evidence disappeared and was never found. That was very suspicious. Ian seemed to know at the beginning bits of information about the murder before anyone else and even said she was not sexyally assaulted. He wrote it and it was printed 26th of December two days after Sophie died. How woukd he know that??? Was he making it up??? So she died 24th, autopsy took place Christmas day and Ian knew the 26th in-time to write about it, have paper publush she did not die by sexual assault as she was not sexually assaulted the 26th. No way could he have known that so soon and before anyone else apart from the hospital staff involved in the autopsy and possibly the gardaí. Did he make that up? Or did he know as he is guilty of her murder? I doubt the gardaí or the coroner would have had him as one of the first people to tell the autopsy results to. A taxi driver said Ian confessed the murder to them. Others said it too but just their word v his. The gardaí botched the case big, massive time. It did not help Ian he got arrested for assaulting his then partner jules, he got caught for drug driving. If Ian is guilty he will be rotting in hell now. If innocent poor him how people houbded him. Also did they check under Sophie's fingernail for dna evidence of dirt or dna if she did scratch someone who was attacking her?

[@fredbloggs545]

He was witnessed climbing and topping the tree. He was witnessed by another dragging it home. He was witnessed culling the turkeys, he sold one to a butcher. He was witnessed having scratches before the murder. He was not let into Sophie's cottage, that is nonsense. The police did cordon off the scene. They also guarded it overnight. Bailey did not know more than others, in fact a friend of Alfie and Shirley knew of the murder by noon, way before him and they lived in Cork city. Alfie and Shirley would have telephoned everybody they knew from the moment they discovered the body. Bailey got a lot of information wrong, it was his job to speculate. Since she was fully clothed, it would be obvious that anybody with a brain would speculate that it was not sexual assault. As for the so-called "confessions" it is clear from the DPP report that it is sarcasm in the face of accusations being put to him by people. There are unknown persons fingerprints in the cottage and there was a male profile found on her boot that is obviously not Bailey. Of course the police had no interest in investigating evidence that pointed away from him, as they "had their man", just like UK police had Colin Stagg for example...

[@thebigloc1]

@@fredbloggs545 well I don't buy what you said

[@valerieoconnor4132]

The big gate did not go missing, it was sent for extensive forensic analysis to Germany, nothing of evidential substance was found except the blood spatter of the victim. Gate was subsequently offered back to Sophie's family who, understandably refused it, it was then stored by the National Forensics lab for a number of years before being disposed of. Bailey confirmed all of this on a number of occasions.

[@JackBurton-qp4hc]

@@thebigloc1 Ignoring facts that challenge your obvious bias, what a surprise, you should be a Guard, you'd fit right in.

[@fredbloggs545]

@@thebigloc1 Not surprising that you "don't buy" facts.

[@Miyagi92]

Can anybody answer how on christmas eve the 24th sophies body was taking away in a herse and on stephens day the 26th ian bailey could write in the paper she wasnt sexually assaulted? so we have christmas day in the middle of nowere in cork this information was known? so we have to believe her autopsy was done christmas day and the results where giving to ian bailey to print on the 26th back in 1996,,oh yes she appeared to have tripped and fell running from her killer too,,,he must of had a pretty good source thats all i can say,,,

[@thebigloc1]

Or maybe he knew as he was guilty?

[@fredbloggs545]

@Miyagi92 She was fully clothed. It is that simple to deduce that she was not sexually assaulted. Are you unable to figure that out yourself?

[@random6809]

@@thebigloc1 Or maybe since she had her clothes on it was obvious she was not r@ped, doofus.

[@spacelook9076]

He must of indeed. Jesus... in a herse!

[@JackBurton-qp4hc]

@@thebigloc1 "Or maybe he knew as he was guilty?" She had her clothes on, it's not rocket science to speculate that she was not sexually assaulted.

[@megarichie007]

Nicola was great in this Niall was poor and shallow !

[@spacelook9076]

And, if you wear black, watch that dandruff!

[@trishtraynor]

A strange guy. Not very likeable at all. Erm, one question...how the hairoil did the gate get lost. 🤷

[@megarichie007]

A shambles Trish Marie Farrel was meeting a garda that night for fun !

[@jimbanda]

Some Gaurds also have nice farms!

[@lauradesmarais2044]

Maybe it’s not lost lol😂

[@freedomunltd]

Why was he not likeable? Because he was very intelligent and very assertive , a man who would not back down from defending himself from the vitriol spewed upon him for decades?

[@megarichie007]

@@freedomunltd noel smith

[@martinbrady79]

That intros just annoying now

[@elliegreen4738]

Martin Brady. Yes, so slow, takes them ages to even get to the subject, I can't be bothered listening to them now, West Cork Podcast was brilliant and way better.

[@martinbrady79]

@@elliegreen4738 totally agree

[@kathleenkeane4364]

Why do you think she ran down the lane,maybe she walked with someone and it all went wrong down the lane, maybe she heard a noise and walked there .did she give a gift of a bottle of wine ? It was supposed to be at the gate,

[@laurielovett8849]

That is a lie. His ex wife specificiely said that he never laid a finger on her, and his girlfriend said he was only violent when both of them had drunken too much whiskey. How many other marriages or live in had the same problem in that area

[@kathleenkeane4364]

@@laurielovett8849 what is a lie? What do you know.

[@laurielovett8849]

@@kathleenkeane4364 It was a lie that he beat his wife up. His wife confirmed on TV and to the detectives that Bailey never laid a finger on her.

[@kathleenkeane4364]

@@laurielovett8849 I dont remember making any comment about anyone beating their wife's up. Get your house in order.

[@laurielovett8849]

There was awinebottle found 2 fields away IG was the same the as Sophie had bought in duty frerdont know ehdther full or empty. But it was remarked IG had to be dropped there by someone who knew the area well. Do t know if it could have been thrown gnat far,all very unclear e

[@patrickmoore3717]

lyclear

[@anthonyberry9132]

Let the man rest in peace,no evidence except anti English bigotry from some of the least qualified and worst behaving law enforcement in the civilised world. A s%it show.

[@thebigloc1]

Anti English bigotry???? Give us a break and stop trying to say he was only accused as English and the law here is anti English. That is one hell of a sweeping comment to make. You have no idea if the law force here is the least qualified and civilised in the world. Yes the investigation was a sh** show but since then advances in technology, crime prevention etc have come a long way. You should like a very angry person. Calm down.

[@JackBurton-qp4hc]

@@thebigloc1 " You should like a very angry person. Calm down." Rather ironically, it is you that appears so in your reply.

[@laurielovett8849]

@@thebigloc1 nothing to do with advanced technology, all to do with s cover up for a local garda

[@lilesosannaflower9956]

Terrible podcast.

[@laurielovett8849]

Garda cocked it up on Purpose

[@laurielovett8849]

It now transpires that someone known to Daniel travelled to France the following day Some Justice from France. They found a man guilty on gossip and didn't consider why the garda paid a wgiman to give false evidence