Doctor tells trial Patrick Quirke was upset over Mary Lowry’s relationship

This report is a localnews.ie summary based on public court reporting and records; sources are listed below.

Patrick Quirke pleaded not guilty to murdering Bobby Ryan. He was on trial at the Central Criminal Court. The proceedings were reported on 6 March 2019.

Ryan went missing on 3 June 2011. His body was found in an underground run-off tank at Fawnagown, Tipperary, in April 2013. The prosecution alleged that Quirke murdered Ryan so he could rekindle an affair with Mary Lowry.

GP Dr Ivor Hanrahan told the court that Quirke had been upset about Lowry’s relationship with Ryan. He said he prescribed antidepressants mainly to help Quirke’s disturbed sleep and believed Quirke had adjustment disorder, which can result from a stressful life event. Under cross-examination, he said Quirke may not have met the criteria for depression and may have thought he had been diagnosed with it because of the medication.

The report also recorded evidence from farm witnesses. Justice Eileen Creedon told the jury they were not required the following day but would be required on Friday.