Courts / Tipperary / Report

Jury deliberating in Moonlight Murder trial

Date
2019-04-23

Stage
Trial

Primary locality
Tipperary

Summary

In the trial of 50‑year‑old farmer Patrick Quirke, the jury paused their deliberations for the night and will resume on Wednesday morning. Quirke is charged with murdering Bobby Ryan, a part‑time DJ known as Mr Moonlight, and hiding his body in an underground tank on a farm leased by Quirke. Ryan disappeared on 3 June 2011 and his body was found 22 months later in April 2013. The prosecution alleges Quirke killed Ryan to rekindle an affair with Mary Lowry, 52, and that the discovery of the body was staged. The jury was instructed by Justice Eileen Creedon to consider circumstantial evidence carefully, to maintain the presumption of innocence, and to reach a unanimous verdict unless a majority of ten jurors could be justified. The defence argues the evidence is insufficient, citing inconsistencies in Lowry's testimony, alleged financial difficulties, and investigative shortcomings. The jury must decide between a guilty or not‑guilty verdict. Patrick Quirke pleaded not guilty.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Jury deliberating in Moonlight Murder trial. Charges or matters: murder. Procedural stage: trial

When:

June 3rd, 2011 Other
April 2013 Other
June 3, 2011 Incident
2008 to 2010 Other
2019-04-23 Publication

Why: She said an accused does not have to give evidence, and the jury must not hold that against the accused, because he is entitled to remain silent. CNI source report