December 23, 1996: Sophie's battered body, still in her nightgowns, is found by a neighbor outside her holiday home near Schull, West Cork.
February 10, 1997: Ian Bailey is arrested at his home for murder, but is later released.
April 17, 1997: The inquest hears that Sophie died from multiple injuries, including a brain injury and a skull fracture, caused by a blunt instrument.
January 27, 1998: Ian Bailey is arrested and questioned a second time, but is again released without charge.
January 2002: After a lawyer writes a highly critical report, a review of the murder investigation is ordered.
June 2008: A French judge orders Sophie's body to be exhumed for an autopsy and forensic examination.
July 2008: An investigation into the handling of the murder investigation does not suggest any criminal prosecution.
June to October 2009: French authorities travel to West Cork to view the crime scene and meet Irish investigators. Two Garda detectives travel to Paris for an investigative quiz.
February 19, 2010: A French judge issues a European arrest warrant.
April 23, 2010: Gardai arrest Bailey and he is brought before the High Court and released on bail.
March 18, 2011: The Supreme Court orders Bailey to surrender to the European Arrest Warrant, but he appeals to the Supreme Court.
March 1, 2012: The Supreme Court rules in Bailey's favor in his appeal against extradition.
May 31, 2019: Bailey is found guilty of Sophie's murder in his absence in France. He is sentenced to 25 years in prison.
June 21, 2019: The French authorities issue a third European arrest warrant.
October 12, 2020: Supreme Court rules against Bailey's extradition. The state later decides not to appeal. It ends attempts to extradite Bailey.
