LAWYERS FOR JOURNALIST Ian Bailey have asked the court for more time in preparing their appeal to a recent High Court ruling approving Bailey’s extradition to France.

French investigators want to question Bailey about the death of French woman Sophie Toscan du Plantier in west Cork in late December 1996. No one has ever been charged in relation to her death.

Last week, the High Court ruled that Bailey should travel to France. Under French legislation, French authorities can investigate and prosecute someone in relation to the murder of a French citizen abroad, but cannot compel witnesses to travel to France.

Instead, the French courts issued a European Arrest Warrant which led to the extradition hearing.

Toscan du Plantier’s family welcomed the move, but said they expected Bailey to appeal it.

Bailey’s lawyers have made an application for leave to appeal but told the court today that they required more time to prepare their legal arguments after hearing that the state would not be consenting, RTÉ reports. The hearing has been adjourned until 29 March.

Bailey has always denied any involvement in Toscan du Plantier’s death.