Courts / Tipperary / Report

"Not yet": jury asked about unanimous verdict in Moonlight murder trial

Summary

The jury in the Central Criminal Court trial of Patrick Quirke, a farmer aged 50 from Breanshamore, Co. Tipperary, is set to return for an eighth day of deliberations. Quirke denies murdering Bobby Ryan, a part‑time DJ known as Mr. Moonlight, who disappeared on 3 June 2011 after leaving his girlfriend Mary Lowry's home. Ryan's body was discovered 22 months later in an underground run‑off tank on a farm owned by Lowry and leased by Quirke at Fawnagown, Tipperary. The trial, lasting 13 weeks, included closing speeches from defence and prosecution barristers. The prosecution alleges Quirke killed Ryan to rekindle an affair with Lowry, aged 52. The defence contends the prosecution has not proven its case beyond a reasonable doubt and seeks Quirke's acquittal. Justice Eileen Creedon instructed the jury to avoid emotional influence and to treat circumstantial evidence carefully. The jury's verdict remains pending. Patrick Quirke pleaded not guilty.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: "Not yet": jury asked about unanimous verdict in Moonlight murder trial. Charges or matters: the murder of Bobby Ryan, a part-time DJ going by the name Mr Moonlight. Procedural stage: trial

When:

• June 3, 2011 Other
• April 30, 2013 Hearing Or Sentence
• 2019-04-30 Publication

Case subjects

Places mentioned

Topics

Stage Trial Violent Crime

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Read the original CNI report