Courts / Tipperary / Report

Quirke's motive was to 'remove' Mr Moonlight as Mary Lowry's lover, State tells appeal

Date
2020-10-15

Stage
Appeal

Primary locality
Tipperary

Summary

In the appeal of Pat Quirke, the Director of Public Prosecutions argued that evidence of Quirke's bad behaviour towards Mary Lowry was essential to establish his motive for murdering Bobby Ryan. Quirke, 51, was convicted of the 2011 murder of DJ Bobby Ryan, 52, who disappeared after leaving Lowry's home. Quirke's defence claimed the trial was unfair, citing evidence of Quirke removing underwear from Lowry's washing line and police suggestions of "cash on demand and sex on demand." The prosecution maintained that Quirke killed Ryan to rekindle his affair with Lowry, who had previously been his lover and financial supporter. The appeal also contested the validity of a warrant that seized Quirke's computer, arguing it was improperly framed and infringed on privacy rights. The court will consider these submissions in the ongoing appeal.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Quirke's motive was to 'remove' Mr Moonlight as Mary Lowry's lover, State tells appeal. Procedural stage: appeal. Findings: Convicted

When:

June 3, 2011 Other
30 April 2013 Other
2020-10-15 Publication

Why: He said the difficulties between Ms Lowry and Quirke were relevant to the case and there was no doubt that Quirke's motive was "to remove Bobby Ryan and take his rightful position as Mary Lowry's lover, as he saw it. CNI source report