Ian Bailey has claimed in court that a garda threatened he'd be found dead in a ditch if they didn't pin him for the murder of Sophie Toscan du Plantier.
The former journalist with an address in Schull, Co Cork is giving evidence in his wrongful arrest action against the state and garda authorities.
His claims are denied.
Our Courts Correspondent Francesca Comyn reports:
Ian Bailey was first arrested for the murder of Sophie Toscan du Plantier in February 1997.
He's claimed in court that Garda Liam Hogan, who was driving the van to Bandon Garda Station, told him, ''Even if we don't pin this on you, you are finished in Ireland. You'll be found in a ditch wth a bullet in the back of the head.''
Mr Bailey's told the jury he interpreted that as a death threat.
The beaten body of the 39 year old French film producer had been found near her holiday home in Schull, two days before the previous Christmas.
The former journalist claims he initially co-operated with the garda investigation into her murder because he'd nothing to hide – until he said things became odd and a garda superintendent told him he was going to place him on a bridge near the scene.
