Ian Bailey was suspected of being over the drink-driving limit when he was stopped by Gardai last week, we have learned.
The man previously suspected of involvement in the Sophie Toscan Du Plantier murder received the results of his urine sample taken by Gardai in the last few days and it's believed it was positive for the presence of alcohol.
He was stopped by road traffic police near his home outside Bantry, Co Cork last Sunday week as he made his way back from a trad-fest in Schull.
READ MORE - Ian Bailey could be left homeless as eviction ban lifted - but ex 'certainly won’t take him in'
It's claimed Mr Bailey failed to give an adequate breath test after three attempts and was then taken to the nearest Garda Station to give the urine sample.
He was subsequently released without charge pending the results.
He allegedly admitted at the time he had drunk a pint and a glass of wine but decided to drive after eating a meal.
It is not known whether he was over the legal drink-drive limit.
However he now faces potential prosecution, a €200 fine, three penalty points and a possible one-year driving ban depending if he was over the legal limit.
Mr Bailey confirmed that his test result was over the drink-drive limit and that he was "very disappointed" with the outcome. He had no further comment to make at this stage.
The 64-year-old former journalist is also a qualified barrister. Whether he decides to fight the case remains to be seen.
The incident is the latest setback he has endured recently as he is also facing eviction from his rented one-bedroom home not far from the Garda Station in Bantry.
His landlord gave him notice to leave before Christmas before the eviction ban was enforced.
But as soon as the ban was lifted by the Government and came into effect last week, Mr Bailey was told he will have to leave by the beginning of May.
The landlord has indicated that he is selling the premises.
Mr Bailey is now trying to find somewhere else to live. His former long-time partner Jules Thomas has told him he is not welcome back at her home, although Bailey said he wouldn't want to go there.
A Garda source said Mr Bailey's car was followed and stopped by officers because they felt he was driving erratically.
Gardai said Mr Bailey fully co-operated and they gave him a lift home afterwards.
The controversial Englishman was arrested twice over the Sophie murder but never charged.
He has always denied any involvement in the killing and said he never knew her.
He has spent the past 26 years trying to clear his name even though a French court found him guilty in absentia in 2019 and sentenced him to 25 year jail.
The Irish courts have refused to extradite him or uphold the verdict with the judiciary here holding the view it was based on hearsay evidence that would never be allowed in an Irish court of law.
Mr Bailey has received several death threats in recent years and was attacked by two men in Bantry late last year in a deliberate and violent assault. The incident is currently being investigated by Gardai.
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