Courts / Donegal / Report

Mary Lowry's evidence "devious poison", defence tell Moonlight jury

Date
2019-04-15

Stage
Trial

Primary locality
Bundoran

County
Donegal

Summary

At the Central Criminal Court, defence counsel Bernard Condon SC characterised Mary Lowry's evidence as fundamentally unreliable during closing arguments in the trial of Patrick Quirke, accused of murdering Bobby Ryan, known as Mr Moonlight. Mr Quirke, aged 50, of Breanshamore, County Tipperary, has pleaded not guilty to the murder of Mr Ryan, a part-time DJ, who disappeared on 3 June 2011 from Ms Lowry's home near Bundoran, Donegal. His remains were discovered in an underground tank on farmland at Fawnagowan 22 months later. Mr Condon submitted that Ms Lowry had altered her account of events between her initial 2011 statement to gardaí and her later testimony, particularly regarding observations she made on the morning of Mr Ryan's disappearance. He contended that she had demonstrated a pattern of inconsistency about the Bundoran incident and other matters, describing her as manipulative. The defence case proceeded that evidence of the former relationship between Ms Lowry and Mr Quirke, whilst complex, did not constitute evidence of murder. The trial continues before Ms Justice Eileen Creedon.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Mary Lowry's evidence "devious poison", defence tell Moonlight jury. Charges or matters: the murder of Bobby Ryan, a part-time DJ known as Mr Moonlight. Procedural stage: trial

When:

June 3, 2011 Other
April 2013 Other
June 2011 Other
June 2, 2011 Other
2019-04-15 Publication

Why: " He further asked whether the episode, when she gave out to Bobby Ryan for five hours travelling back from Bundoran because he had spent the previous night dancing and talking to another woman, was evidence that Ms Lowry was controlled or controlling. CNI source report