Courts / Tipperary / Report

"Love rival" farmer told gardai he found Mary Lowry's account "strange and intriguing"

Summary

Patrick Quirke, 50, of Breanshamore, Co. Tipperary, pleaded not guilty to the murder of DJ Bobby 'Mr Moonlight' Ryan, who disappeared between June 2011 and April 2013. Ryan's body was found in a run‑off tank on a farm leased by Quirke and owned by his former lover, Mary Lowry, 52. Quirke told gardai that he discovered the body while trying to empty the tank, describing it as a "body" with a pelvis and private area face‑down. He denied any jealousy or animosity toward Ryan, claimed he had no role in the body's placement, and said he only knew of Ryan's disappearance from Lowry's statements. Quirke also expressed that Lowry had a "couldn't care less attitude" about Ryan's disappearance. The trial is proceeding before Justice Eileen Creedon with a jury of twelve.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: "Love rival" farmer told gardai he found Mary Lowry's account "strange and intriguing". Charges or matters: the murder of Mr Ryan – a part-time DJ going by the name Mr Moonlight – on a date between June 3, 2011 and April 2013. Procedural stage: trial

When:

• June 3, 2011 Other
• April 2013 Other
• April 30, 2013 Other
• 2019-02-14 Publication

Why: He had not opened this tank since 2008, he said, but knew it was there because the previous owner of the farm, Martin Lowry, told him about it. CNI source report

Case subjects

Places mentioned

Topics

Stage Trial Violent Crime

Related court reports

• Tipperary man admits attempted murder
• Trial date set for woman and teenager accused of murdering Scarlett Faulkner
• Teenage boy pleads guilty to manslaughter
• Irish Rail and council in dispute over signal mast near 'Gothic revival' station
• Six years for man who killed his friend after night of 'excess'
• Careless truck driver who caused death of former Garryowen rugby player fails in sentence appeal

Read the original CNI report