Ian Bailey has admitted in court that he has been involved in domestic violence against his long standing partner.

The former journalist is being cross examined as part of his damages action against the State and Garda commissioner for alleged wrongful arrest over the murder of French film maker Sophie Toscan du Plantier.

Ian Bailey said it is to his eternal shame that he hit his partner Jules Thomas on two occasions after drinking spirits- in 1996 and in 2001.

The former journalist, who lives in Schull, Co Cork said his partner was hospitalised after the first incident and that the assault was common knowledge in the community.

He agreed under cross examination that it may have played a part in his becoming a suspect in the Sophie Toscan du Plantier murder investigation.

The French film producer was found dead by her holiday home in Schull, Co Cork two days before Christmas in 1996.

Mr Bailey said the assaults on his partner were appalling but suggested they paled in comparison to what subsequently happened to him.