As Ian Bailey’s flat is searched and personal items seized by Gardaí, some have questioned why this didn’t happen when he was alive. 

Gardaí investigating the murder of Sophie Toscan du Plantier seized several items from the flat of Mr Bailey, who died last Sunday. 

A team of 10 officers seized several notebooks, Mr Bailey’s phone, laptop, hard drives and memory sticks from the flat in Bantry, Co Cork. 

They also took combs, razors and other items that will be used to get a more detailed DNA profile of Mr Bailey that could be used in investigations. 

Irish Times journalist Mark Hennessy, however, questioned why Gardaí waited until after Mr Bailey’s death to get a search warrant. 

“I can’t be the only person who’s a bit surprised they’re investing after his death rather than before,” he told The Anton Savage Show. 

“They probably do [have reasons] ... but I’m slightly puzzled why they weren’t seized before.” 

Irish Times Southern Correspondent Barry Roche, however, said this is not surprising. 

“If there is anything relevant in his belongings, it was always going to be the case that the moment he passed away they’re going to obtain a warrant,” he said. 

“I don’t think [the search] as planned pre-postmortem, but I suspect once he passed away, Gardaí would be anxious with a pair of fresh eyes to review everything. 

“He only passed away on Sunday and was cremated on Tuesday – they would’ve got the warrant I imagine on Thursday.” 

Mr Roche said the search lasted from 10am to 5pm in the bedroom, kitchenette, dining area and bathroom. 

“He was a huge hoarder,” he said. “There was a huge amount of stuff in the flat. 

“He apparently kept almost everything; cuttings from his own journalist career in the 1980s... huge collection of CDs and DVDs." 

Investigation of Ian Bailey

Mr Hennessy said he does not think there will be any “closure” from the search. 

“The Garda investigation in the 1990s was a car crash, a whole variety of mistakes,” he said. 

“The same mistakes would not happen today. 

“The reality is everybody will have their own view whether Ian Bailey killed [Ms Toscan du Plantier].” 

Ms Toscan du Plantier was found dead and badly beaten outside her holiday home in Schull, Co Cork, in December 1996. 

Mr Bailey was arrested and questioned twice by Gardaí about the murder but has denied killing Ms du Plantier. 

He was convicted of her murder in absentia in France in 2019 and sentenced to 25 years in jail. However, the Irish courts refused to extradite him. 

Listen back here: