Courts / Tipperary / Report

Accused knew of tank where body was found, Moonlight murder trial hears

Date
2019-02-05
Stage
Trial
Primary locality
Tipperary
County
Tipperary

Summary

A man accused of murdering a disc jockey known as Mr Moonlight knew of the existence of a tank where the victim's remains were discovered, the Central Criminal Court has heard. Patrick Quirke, aged 50, of Breanshamore in County Tipperary, has pleaded not guilty to the murder of Bobby Ryan, aged 52, between June 2011 and April 2013. Mr Ryan disappeared in June 2011 and his body was found in a run-off tank on a farm at Fawnagowan, Tipperary, in April 2013. Prosecution evidence suggests Mr Quirke killed Mr Ryan to resume a relationship with the deceased's girlfriend. Witness testimony established that Mr Quirke was familiar with the tank's location, built in the late 1970s on the farm. A neighbour recalled seeing an unusual silver van—matching the type driven by Mr Ryan—parked on a nearby laneway the morning he went missing. The trial before Justice Eileen Creedon and jury continues at the Central Criminal Court.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Accused knew of tank where body was found, Moonlight murder trial hears. Charges or matters: the murder of 52-year-old Bobby Ryan – a DJ known as Mr Moonlight – on a date between June 3, 2011 and April 2013. Procedural stage: trial

When:

Why: Mary Ryan, the former wife of the deceased, told Mr Humphries that she split with Mr Ryan because they had grown apart. CNI source report

Case subjects

Patrick Quirke

Accused

Charges: the murder of 52-year-old Bobby Ryan – a DJ known as Mr Moonlight – on a date between June 3, 2011 and April 2013 (Alleged Or Contested)

Plea: Not guilty

Places mentioned

Secondary Mention
Residence
Court Venue
  • Central Criminal Court

Topics

Stage Trial Violent Crime

Related court reports

Read the original CNI report

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