Remains of Ian Bailey cremated in private ceremony in Cork
Picture: Ian File Linehan Dan Bailey
The remains of Ian Bailey have been cremated in a private ceremony in Cork, with no one bar crematorium and funeral director staff in attendance.
His solicitor, Frank Buttimer, confirmed the news on Tuesday evening on behalf of Mr Bailey’s UK-based sister.
Mr Bailey, who became the chief suspect in the murder of 39-year-old French woman Sophie Toscan du Plantier in West Cork in 1996, collapsed and died of a suspected heart attack in Bantry on Sunday, aged 66.
Given his previously well-documented health difficulties, including two heart attacks last September, no autopsy was conducted and the cause of death was recorded as natural causes.
Mr Bailey’s body was retained in Bantry General Hospital until arrangements were made for its collection by a funeral director from outside West Cork for transport to The Island Crematorium in Ringaskiddy, near Cork City on Tuesday morning.
It is understood that his family wanted a low-key service away from the media spotlight.
In a statement issued this evening, Mr Buttimer said he was authorised on behalf of Mr Bailey's next of kin to confirm that Mr Bailey’s remains were cremated at a private event earlier today.
He said that no further statement would be made in relation to this matter.
There was no notification of Mr Bailey’s death on the RIP.ie website.
It is understood that arrangements are now being made for Mr Bailey’s ashes to be shipped to his sister in England.
While no funeral details have been arranged, it is understood that whatever ceremony may take place will be private.
The cremation took place as the Association for the Truth about the Murder of Sophie Toscan du Plantier vowed to continue their campaign for justice.
In a statement issued on Tuesday, the association said the Paris Criminal Court sentenced Mr Bailey in absentia on May 31, 2019, to 25 years in prison for murder.
"Despite this trial and France’s repeated requests for his extradition, Ian Bailey remained free, never facing charges from the Irish justice system," it said.
"Throughout these years, Ian Bailey refused to answer the questions of French investigators, entangling himself in lies and contradictions. "Provoking and taunting the police, the judiciary, and the media, Ian Bailey always avoided telling the truth about this murder, of which, beyond any reasonable doubt, he knew every detail.
"Irish judicial authorities never wanted to charge him or extradite him to France, in disregard of European commitments based on the principle of mutual trust between States, which Ireland signed and ratified.
"With Bailey’s death, Sophie’s family and our association will never be able to obtain a confession from Ian Bailey.
"We continue our efforts for truth and justice. An investigation is underway in Ireland, and we are confident that the discovery of new elements, the hearing of new witnesses, and the revelation of possible complicity will enable Irish police to close the case, 27 years after the murder."