Murder suspect Ian Bailey told gardaí he was being illegally detained based on false information as officers served a European arrest warrant on him.

Det Sgt Jim Kirwan told a court hearing yesterday that when presented with the warrant, Bailey replied: "This is bollocks."

Bailey, who has now been arrested three times in connection with the 1996 murder of French woman Sophie Toscan du Plantier, was released on bail.

Leaving court yesterday after a short hearing in front of judge Michael Peart, Bailey said simply: "No comment to make at the moment."

Seven gardaí had arrived at Bailey's home in Schull, west Cork, just before midnight on Friday, to serve him with the European extradition warrant issued by authorities in France.

Giving evidence, Kirwan said he had visited a house called the Prairie, where he asked Bailey to identify himself. "You know who I am," replied Bailey.

He asked him to confirm his date of birth of 27 January 1957 and his place of birth in Manchester, to which Ian Bailey replied: "Yes."

Kirwan informed him of his rights and told him the arrest warrant related to a single offence: namely murder.

"This is an illegal arrest and based on false information," said Bailey.

Dressed in a blue blazer, beige slacks and brown leather runners, the Englishman – a former journalist – was relaxed in court as he spoke with his solicitor Frank Buttimer.

Gardaí said they would consent to bail as they did not believe Bailey was a flight risk.

They asked for an independent surety of €30,000, surrender of Bailey's passport, and that he sign on twice a week at a garda station.

Barrister Martin Giblin said Bailey's arrest had been well flagged in the media in advance yet his client had made no attempt to abscond. "He was there when we called," said Kirwan.

Giblin said Ian Bailey had been at the centre of "something of a circus for 14 years", that he was arrested on two occasions and that he had never even moved house.

The barrister said a file on the Sophie Toscan du Plantier case had been sent to the director of public prosecutions, who directed on at least three occasions that no prosecution take place.

Giblin said it must have been a "matter of intrigue" to gardaí that the French authorities believe they could now progress the case 14 years later.

Peart was told Bailey is studying law at UCC and was preparing for his exams when arrested.

The judge granted Bailey bail on his bond of €15,000, a condition that he surrendered his passport and stay in the jurisdiction, and that he signed in at his local garda station each Saturday.

Bailey spoke briefly in court to say: "I would be happy to accept those terms."

The case was adjourned until Wednesday 28 April.