Courts / Tipperary / Report

Moonlight murder trial jury to deliberate for fourth day

Date
2019-04-25
Stage
Trial
Primary locality
Tipperary
County
Tipperary

Summary

Patrick Quirke, a 50‑year‑old farmer from Breanshamore, Co. Tipperary, is on trial for the murder of Bobby Ryan, a part‑time DJ known as Mr Moonlight. Ryan vanished on 3 June 2011 after leaving his girlfriend Mary Lowry's home. His body was discovered in an underground run‑off tank on Lowry's farm, leased by Quirke, 22 months later in April 2013. Quirke pleaded not guilty. The prosecution alleges he killed Ryan to rekindle an affair with Lowry, aged 52, while the defence argues the evidence does not prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. The jury, composed of six men and six women, has deliberated for seven hours and 23 minutes and will resume on Friday at 11 a.m. They must decide between a guilty or not‑guilty verdict. Ms Justice Eileen Creedon cautioned the jury to avoid emotional bias and to handle circumstantial evidence carefully. The trial is held in the Central Criminal Court.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Moonlight murder trial jury to deliberate for fourth day. Charges or matters: the murder of Bobby Ryan, a part-time DJ going by the name Mr Moonlight. Procedural stage: trial

When:

Case subjects

Patrick Quirke

Accused

Charges: the murder of Bobby Ryan, a part-time DJ going by the name Mr Moonlight (Alleged Or Contested)

Plea: Not guilty

Places mentioned

Court Venue
  • Central Criminal Court
Residence
Secondary Mention

Topics

Stage Trial Violent Crime

Related court reports

Read the original CNI report

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