The High Court has dismissed a bid by English journalist Ian Bailey to strike out a claim that he killed Frenchwoman Sophie Toscan du Plantier in Cork in 1996.
Mr Ian Bailey (46), of Schull, Co Cork, was served with a summons by lawyers acting for Ms Toscan du Plantier's parents, Mr Georges and Mrs Marguerite Bouniol, and her son, Mr Pierre Louis Baudey, in August 2003.
The Bouniols and Mr Baudey are seeking damages from Mr Bailey for the loss and emotional distress caused by the death of Ms Toscan du Plantier (38), whose badly beaten body was found near the entrance to her holiday property at Toormore, Schull, on December 23rd, 1996.
Mr Bailey was seeking to have the claim dismissed on the grounds that they failed to furnish him with certain information.
While refusing to strike out the claim for a failure to give particulars, the High Court noted the delay in initiating the claim and said Mr Bailey is not precluded from giving a fresh motion to have the claim struck out on grounds of delay.
Mr Bailey has twice been arrested about Ms Toscan du Plantier's killing, but has not been charged.
He has always strongly denied any involvement in her death.