Witnesses removed as journalist claims intimidation

Two witnesses accused of intimidating Mr Ian Bailey during breaks in proceedings at Cork Circuit Cork were yesterday removed from court on the direction of Judge Patrick J. Moran.

Mr Bailey also told the court yesterday he had suspicions that gardaí were involved in a "conspiracy" against him and that things had been moved around in the room where he and his partner were staying during the libel trial.

The freelance journalist said that at lunchtime on Thursday one witness, Mr Bill Fuller, came up to him and said, "I've got you now", and that Mr Fuller made another remark as he left the court building that evening.

He also claimed that another witness, Mr Peter Belecki, stared at him in a "a most intense fashion" after Thursday's session finished.

Mr Bailey said: "There are two witnesses who are somehow acting together in an intimidating manner." Judge Moran said no one should be intimidated while exercising their legal right to make a claim in court and ordered that the two witnesses be removed until they were due to give evidence.

"Mr Bailey feels that he is being subjected to something unpleasant and I am of the opinion that it would be better if these two witnesses were removed," Judge Moran said.

"He is entitled to make a claim and is entitled to some respect . . . It's not unusual to have people removed from court," he added.

Mr Paul Gallagher SC, for the newspapers, protested and said the two witnesses should be able to put their side of the case before being removed from the courtroom and were entitled to listen to the proceedings.

He also said he was hoped Judge Moran would not make a judgment on the witnesses in relation to the complaints.

Judge Moran said he would "keep an open mind" and pointed out that the two witnesses would be entitled to inspect transcripts of the day's proceedings in any case.

Mr Fuller, the court heard earlier in the week, claimed that Mr Bailey had told that he murdered Ms Toscan du Plantier. Mr Belecki also claimed that Mr Bailey had told him of how he assaulted his former wife, Ms Sarah Limerick.

Mr Bailey has rejected both allegations.

In a further twist to proceedings yesterday, Mr Bailey also told the judge that he suspected that things had been moved around in the room where he and his partner were staying.

"I believe that where we have been staying in Cork, things have been moved and altered. I think something very, very conspiratorial is going on in relation to evidence that we are able to bring to court in relation to the initial murder investigation.

Something is going on that is not of a legal nature," he said. When asked to expand on this, he added: "The place were we are staying in Cork City, there is a Garda operation going on there, I cannot be more specific."

Judge Moran said earlier that a contempt of court situation could arise if the witnesses continued to allegedly intimidate Mr Bailey and that Mr Gallagher knew the steps he would have to take.

He also said he could not conduct an inquiry into the allegations and that he believed it best to exercise the powers he had to ensure the two men were removed.