Netflix is known for leading the way when it comes to true crime documentaries, so it’s no surprise that its newest series is shaping up to be a smash-hit.
Sophie: A Murder in West Cork is a three-part documentary film series that takes a look at the life of Sophie Toscan du Plantier, as well as an investigation into her death in 1996 after her murder – which became a national obsession in Ireland and France.
On the morning of 23 December 1996, the Gardaí – or Irish police – discovered French producer Sophie Toscan du Plantier dead in the coastal outpost of West Cork.
Toscan du Plantier had been residing in her holiday home in Ireland before she was murdered, and the police looked into a handful of suspects, including her husband, Daniel Toscan du Plantier, and former lover, Bruno Carbonnet.
But for decades, the prime suspect in this tragic case – who was never tried in Ireland but has since faced the court of public opinion – has boiled down to one man.
And that prime suspect is from right here in Manchester.
The murder of Sophie Toscan du Plantier became national obsession in 1996 / Credit: Netflix UK & Ireland
Who is Ian Bailey?
Born in Manchester, Ian Bailey moved to Ireland in 1991 with his partner, Jules Thomas, and settled in the remote West Cork village of Schull from 1992 onwards.
He worked as a freelance journalist, fish farmer, poet, and held a market stall selling pizzas.
Bailey was known for previous incidents of domestic violence towards Thomas, which had resulted in her hospitalisation, and in 2001 he was convicted of assault in Skibbereen District Court.
A psychiatrist’s report prepared for the murder trial of Sophie Toscan du Plantier concluded he had a “personality constructed on narcissism, psycho-rigidity, violence, impulsiveness, egocentricity, with an intolerance to frustration and a great need for recognition” and also had a tendency to become violent “under the liberating effects of alcohol”.
The judge stated that “Mr Bailey is a man who likes a certain amount of notoriety, that he likes perhaps to be in the limelight, that he likes a bit of self-publicity”.
How did he become the prime suspect?
Ian Bailey has denied ever officially meeting Toscan du Plantier.
Several witnesses have contradicted this, and a report by the Irish Times claims that the late producer’s friends recalled her mentioning a meeting for a writing project with Bailey.
While Bailey initially presented himself as a helpful local journalist for out-of-town reporters, he soon became the centre of the murder investigation, with the most damning evidence against him coming from a shopkeeper named Marie Farrell, who said that she had seen a man in a long coat at Kealfadda Bridge the night that Toscan du Plantier was murdered.
Farrell later retracted her statement, and claimed that Bailey threatened her after she initially identified him.
Despite Farrell’s testimony, other signs such as scratches on Bailey’s head, hands, and arms days after the murder were also identified and according to a report from the Irish Independent, neighbours also saw Bailey burn a mattress among other belongings.
On top of that, Bailey also confessed to Schull residents that he killed Toscan du Plantier – but he later claimed he was only joking.
Did he ever get convicted?
The Director of Public Prosecutions in Ireland said that there wasn’t sufficient evidence to try Bailey.
Although he wasn’t convicted in Ireland for the murder, his legal battle continued in France, as according to French law, the country has extraterritorial jurisdiction when a French citizen is murdered, so Bailey was tried in absentia, and in 2019, the three-judge Cour d’Assises in France officially convicted Bailey of murder, sentencing him to 25 years.
However, the Irish High Court ruled in Oct 2020 that Bailey, then 63, could not be extradited.
Bailey himself has also pursued legal action twice – once against the media for libel, and another time against the Irish state for wrongful arrest.
He lost both cases.
According to a 2021 report in The Irish Post, Bailey is getting ready to sue Netflix for using his interview in the true crime documentary, alleging in a letter: “At no time did I agree to it being used in a finished documentary.”
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You can find more information about Sophie: A Murder in West Cork, and watch the series in full on Netflix here.
Featured Image – Netflix UK & Ireland
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Oldham Athletic sign manager Micky Mellon’s son, Michael, on loan for the season
Danny Jones
Oldham Athletic FC have signed boss Micky Mellon’s son, Michael Mellon, on loan just in time for deadline day.
The legendary Scottish manager has been with Oldham since October 2023 (the first Greater Manchester club on his impressive pyramid-spanning CV), and helped them return to the football league after 34 years.
He’s already a bit of an EFL legend, boasting a staggering nine promotions with seven different teams, so there are few decisions he could make that would displease most supporters, even if there may or may not be a slight whiff of nepotism in the eyes of some.
Once again, the majority couldn’t care less, especially in a sport where the romantics amongst us imagine even the slightest hint of talent dripping down the bloodline; either way, fan favourite Micky’s son, Michael, has joined the Latics on loan for 2025/26.
Officially announced on Monday, 1 September, with just hours left of deadline day, 21-year-old Michael Mellon joins Oldham Athletic on a temporary deal as the Greater Manchester side looks to inject more goals into their recently promoted squad.
Confirmed as the 14th signing so far this summer – many of those coming in the form of free agents picked up on their way out of the National League – the young centre-forward began his career as part of the Manchester United academy.
Going on to join Burnley at 16, Mellon has gone on to be considered one of the brightest prospects among the Clarets’ academy, and will be hoping to get more even minutes this term.
They also teased his signing in one of the most silly but satisfying transfer reveal videos we’ve seen during this transfer window.
Mellon Jr has enjoyed loan spells at Morecambe, Dundee United, fellow local outfit Stockport County and Bradford City since joining his parent club back in 2019 – having spent the most time with the Shrimps, where he scored his first professional hat-trick in a 4-1 win over Wimbledon in 23/24.
Scoring 15 times in 27 appearances for them, he was recalled by Burnley back in January 2024, but is now set to be given the nod in his father’s senior team. Commenting on Oldham signing his son, Micky Mellon’s reponse was this: “We believe we’ve brought in a striker who is different to the ones we’ve got.
“Michael has always been a goalscorer – yes, he’s my son, but we’ve brought him in to help us win games of football and that’s the sole reason. He’s physical, technically very good and has the ability to put the ball in the back of the net.
“He’s had a bit of a tough time with injury lately, but he looks like he’s grown through that, and we can get the best version of Michael. He had a lot of interest, but he believes Oldham [Athletic] is the best place for him to play his football this season.
“He’s seen what Boundary Park is like when it’s full and roaring, the decision has been his to make, and he’s picked Oldham.” Excited by this one, Owls?
🗣️ Michael always knew where he wanted to play his football this season. #oafc
Featured Images — Oldham Athletic via X/TNT Sports Football (screenshot via YouTube)
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Éderson to leave after the Etihad after eight years ahead of Donnarumma joining Manchester City
Danny Jones
It looks like Éderson Moraes’ time at Manchester City has finally come to an end, as the long-serving goalkeeper is set to leave the Etihad Stadium after eight years, with heavily rumoured new signing Gianluigi Donnarumma joining in his place.
In what has turned out to be a late twist in the transfer window, Brazilian shot-stopper Éderson has reportedly agreed personal terms with Fenerbahçe SK following the two clubs striking a late and permanent deal.
Simultaneously, following plenty of speculation over his next destination this summer – having been courted by both Premier League clubs in Manchester, as well as serial spenders Chelsea – ‘Gigi’ Donnarumma is preparing to don the sky blue of Man City.
It also still begs the question of who is going to be the number one under Pep Guardiola…
32-year-old Éderson was strongly expected to leave before deadline day, though it was reported he was most likely bound for fellow Turkish giants and current Süper Lig champions, Galatasaray.
However, an agreement was never reached, and now their rivals have got their hands on his gloves and his signature for around £12 million.
The ex-Benfica keeper had also been linked with a possible return to Portugal, as well as attracting interest from multiple Saudi clubs over the last 12 months or so, as his place in Pep‘s first-choice XI has become increasingly less secure.
Conversely, he is expected to drop straight into Fenerbahçe’s starting lineup and is set to sign a three-year deal worth around €8 million a year before add-ons.
Meanwhile, Man City are set to pay Paris Saint-Germain approximately £43.2m for Donnrumma, who is set to undergo his medical in Manchester on Monday afternoon (1 September).
🚨 Paris Saint-Germain maintain expectation Gianluigi Donnarumma will join Manchester City on #DeadlineDay. #MCFC want #PSG goalkeeper & Ederson will only be allowed to seal proposed €14m #Fenerbahce move if 26yo Italy international arrives @TheAthleticFChttps://t.co/X7RsLnSeSA
Still aged just 26 after breaking into the senior AC Milan squad when he was just 16, the PSG keeper and Italian number one has already won plenty in his career, including Euro 2020 and the Champions League last season.
With Éderson leaving City as a serial winner, the club would be hard-pressed to pick up another keeper of his calibre, with such experience and with time still on his side.
The full details of his contract are yet to be disclosed, but you can expect him to earn a healthy sum upon arriving in East Manchester.
All that being said, it remains to be seen what this means for recently re-signed James Trafford, who rejoined his former youth club ahead of the 25/26 campaign from Burnley. He might have the right shirt, but will Donnarumma’s arrival see him become the back-up?
Forget Éderson vs Ortega: who is going to lay the claim between the posts for City next, Donnarumma or Trafford?
Emily Sergeant -
5th July 2021 
