A lawyer for the family of Sophie Toscan duPlantier has described the end of Ian Bailey's High Court action yesterday as an 'important step'.

Mr Bailey lost the civil action in which he claimed Gardai conspired to implicate him in the murder of the French film producer.

Her death is also under investigation by French authorities, more than 18 years after her body was found in west Cork.

Lawyer Alain Spilliaert says the investigation there has been held up since last year, however he expects it will now resume: