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Irish Times
2 days ago
- Irish Times
Ian Bailey's ‘deepest wish' was to clear his name of murder link, memorial service told
Ian Bailey 's 'deepest wish' before he died was to clear his name of any involvement in the murder of French film producer Sophie Toscan du Plantier , a small gathering of family, friends and supporters heard as his ashes were scattered into the sea in west Cork . Speaking at the private memorial service, Mr Bailey's sister Kay Reynolds said: 'It is a source of deep regret, held I'm sure by all of you today, that Ian's name wasn't cleared in his lifetime.' Ms Reynolds was joined by her daughter Jenni and other family members and about 30 friends and supporters for a memorial event at Skeaghanore pier near Ballydehob, overlooking Roaringwater Bay. Ms Reynolds said her brother 'once told me that the international arrest warrant, which meant he couldn't leave the country, didn't bother him as much as it could because there was no place else in the world [than Ireland] he wanted to be'. READ MORE She said the one occasion that the European arrest warrant caused her brother upset was when he was unable to visit their failing mother Brenda in England and attend her subsequent funeral. 'He felt the cruelty of this very, very deeply,' she said. Mr Bailey, who had been suffering from a heart condition, collapsed on the street in Bantry and died on January 21st, 2024 , just a week short of his 67th birthday. The English-born former journalist moved to Ireland in 1991 and came to prominence after the murder of Ms Toscan du Plantier (39), the French film producer killed at her isolated holiday home at Toormore in December 1996. Mr Bailey was arrested twice and questioned but was never charged with the killing and he repeatedly denied any involvement in the crime and maintained his innocence up to his death 18 months ago. Kay Reynolds, sister of Ian Bailey, disperses his ashes at Skeaghanore pier in west Cork on Friday. Photograph: Michael Mac Sweeney/Provision His remains were cremated at a private ceremony. Among those attending the scattering of his ashes were Mr Bailey's solicitors Frank Buttimer and Michael Quinlan and his barristers Tom Creed and Jim Duggan, who represented him in civil legal actions he took against several newspapers and against the State. Also present at the ceremony was film director Jim Sheridan , who championed Mr Bailey whom he maintained was innocent in his documentary series Murder at the Cottage and more recently in his docudrama Re-Creation which premiered earlier this month at the Tribeca film festival. Ian Bailey moved to Ireland in 1991 and came to prominence after the murder of Sophie Toscan du Plantier in December 1996. Photograph: Niall Carson/PA Wire Mr Bailey despite his protests of innocence was convicted in absentia of the murder of Ms Toscan du Plantier by a French court in 2019. Ms Reynolds, who previously told The Irish Times that she did not believe her brother killed Ms Toscan du Plantier, began her eulogy to her brother with a reference to the murdered woman. 'I would just ask you to think of Sophie de Toscan du Plantier and her family for a moment. I really genuinely hope that they get justice and some sort of peace for themselves because obviously they have suffered so much through all of this.'
Irish Examiner
30-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Irish Examiner
In pictures: Lenny Abrahamson and others in Cork for launch of Fastnet Film Festival
The spotlight will be on Schull this May as the Fastnet Film Festival returns with a stellar line-up from May 21 to May 25. The Fastnet Film Festival's programme was recently unveiled at a launch party at Crane Lane in Cork city. The Fastnet Film Festival launch party recently took place at The Crane Lane. Picture: Gerard McCarthy. This year promises a mix of Hollywood stars, screenings, panels, masterclasses, and special guest events in the stunning village of Schull. Eoin O'Hannrachein, James Browne and Cian O'Hannrachein from Cork at the Fastnet Film Festival launch party at The Crane Lane. Picture: Gerard McCarthy. The Fastnet Film Festival is a short film festival without a cinema, providing those who attend with many alternatives, from screenings on Cape Clear, the village hall, local hotel, cafés, and numerous local pubs and restaurants in town. The Fastnet Film Festival programme was unveiled at a launch party at The Crane The Festival focuses on the craft of filmmaking, hosting seminars, workshops, and masterclasses with industry experts on all aspects of the film industry. Tom McCarthy ,Fastnet Film Festival Committee and Cllr Deirdre Kelly, Deputy Mayor of County Cork at the Fastnet Film Festival launch party at The Crane Lane. Picture: Gerard McCarthy. Fringe events include a film quiz, live music, and family entertainment. Hilary Lane, Alper Hackett and Jo Lyons at the Fastnet Film Festival launch party at The Crane Lane. Picture: Gerard McCarthy. Over 500 short films from over 40 countries are entered into competition each year for a share in the cash prize fund of €45,000. Liz Flatman and Gene Griffin, Film Festival Design Team, at the Fastnet Film Festival launch party at The Crane Lane. Picture: Gerard McCarthy. As part of this year's celebration of film, stars including Maria Doyle Kennedy, who has starred in more than 50 films and TV series including The General, Wolfwalkers, The Tudors, Downton Abbey, Orphan Black, Outlander, Kin, and Father Ted; Barry Keoghan, multi-award winning actor revered for his intense and versatile performances; and Domhnall Gleeson, whose career spans critically acclaimed films such as Star Wars, Ex Machina, Brooklyn, and The Revenant, will join in the festivities in Schull. John Kelleher film producer and Jean van Sinderen la,w UCC at the Fastnet Film Festival launch party at The Crane Lane. Picture: Gerard McCarthy. Irish film director Lenny Abrahamson was among the guests in attendance at the Fastnet Film Festival launch event in Cork city last week. Stephanie Power, Jack and Martin Levis from Ballydehob at the Fastnet Film Festival launch party at The Crane Lane. Picture: Gerard McCarthy. The festival will take place from Wednesday, May 21 to Sunday, May 25.
