In a Central Criminal Court trial, Inga Ozolina, 48, is charged with murdering her boyfriend Audrius Pukas, 40, in November 2016. The prosecution presented evidence that Ozolina had two bite marks on her arm and bruises on her upper thigh, breast, elbow, wrist, knee and leg. Garda David Donovan testified that he photographed the bite marks, measured them, and took DNA swabs, noting that the marks might have been made by another person. He also photographed bruising on Ozolina's left breast and other areas, measuring each with a ruler. Ozolina pleaded not guilty, and the trial continues before Mr Justice Alexander Owens and a jury of seven men and five women. The case highlights the alleged lack of self‑defence in the murder of Pukas.
A 20‑year‑old Irishman, Conor Freeman, was arrested in Dun Laoghaire on 9 May 2019 after a US warrant was served. US authorities allege that Freeman, part of an online group called "The Community," conspired to hack targets using SIM hijacking to steal more than $2 million in Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies between February and May 2018. The indictment, issued by a Grand Jury in the Eastern District of Michigan, charges Freeman with one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud, four counts of aiding and abetting wire fraud and four counts of aiding and abetting aggravated identity theft. If convicted in the US, Freeman faces up to 108 years in prison. He was remanded in custody by the High Court to appear on 22 May for a bail application. The case remains at the extradition stage, with no further proceedings reported.
During the Central Criminal Court trial, two 14‑year‑old boys, Boy A and Boy B, pleaded not guilty to the murder of 14‑year‑old Anastasia Kriegel. Boy B told a garda that he arranged to meet Ana in a park because he "didn't want to be seen with her" and that Ana was wearing a "slutty top" when he brought her to the park to meet Boy A. Boy A, who is also charged with aggravated sexual assault, claimed he met Ana the previous Monday in a park and that after leaving her he was assaulted by two men. He described being knocked to the ground, kicked, and having his arms stomped on, and that Ana had "brushed him in the chest area." The trial will continue next week before Justice Paul McDermott and a jury of eight men and four women.
In a murder trial, the jury heard that a father‑of‑one, Audrius Pukas, 40, was stabbed to death at The Malthouse, Roscrea, on 20 November 2016. The accused, Inga Ozolina, 48, pleaded not guilty. Deputy State Pathologist Dr Michael Curtis testified that the fatal wound penetrated Pukas's left chest to a depth of 25.5 cm, cutting the rib cage, left lung, heart, aortic valve, left main coronary artery and aorta, and that a massive blood collection in the left chest cavity caused rapid death. Two additional superficial wounds were found on the left chest and right upper arm. Pukas had bruising on the right face and lower lip, and modest alcohol levels were noted. The jury was told the stabbing force was moderate and the victim's left arm had to be raised for the fatal wound to be inflicted. The trial proceeded before Mr Justice Alexander Owens and a 12‑person jury.
Professor Marie Cassidy, the former State Pathologist, testified at the trial of two 14‑year‑old boys accused of murdering 14‑year‑old Anastasia Kriegel. She described the death as "a very horrific death", caused by blunt force trauma to the head or compression of the neck. Cassidy noted more than 50 injury sites, some possibly defensive wounds, and highlighted four separate impacts to the right side of the head consistent with a small, heavy object or the corner of something larger. Other facial injuries suggested blows from a large, long, heavy object. She found no alcohol or drugs in Ana's system and stated she was "extremely healthy" before her death. Cassidy also reported evidence of attempted vaginal penetration, but could not determine consent. She observed injuries near the door where Ana was found and noted blood staining on the wall and floor. The unnamed 14-year-old pleaded not guilty.
In a Central Criminal Court trial, 48‑year‑old Inga Ozolina, originally from Latvia, pleaded not guilty to the murder of her 40‑year‑old boyfriend Audrius Pukas, who died on 20 November 2016 at The Malthouse, Roscrea. The prosecution alleged a "tempestuous and volatile" relationship and that there was no self‑defence. Ozolina was described as panicky and frantic when she arrived at Roscrea Garda Station at 2.30 am, wearing a bathrobe and slippers, and claimed she had stabbed Pukas. Garda evidence noted her injuries – a bite mark on her left arm, bruising on her left breast and dried blood on both knees – and that she had asked for an ambulance. Earlier police visits in 2016 and 2013 involved domestic incidents with Pukas. The case is set to continue before Mr Justice Alexander Owens and a jury.
Schoolgirl Anastasia Kriegel, 14, was found dead at Glenwood House in Lucan on 14 May 2018. The body lay on her back with a blue tape noose around her neck, which she appeared to be pulling away. The tape, identified as Tescon insulation tape, was wrapped once around her neck and knotted. Blood‑stained timber, a concrete block, and various clothing items were recovered from the scene, including a black hoodie, leggings, and boots. The accused, two 14‑year‑olds, pleaded not guilty to murder and to an aggravated sexual assault charge. The jury viewed the scene, a 3‑D reconstruction, and forensic evidence, while the trial proceeded before Justice Paul McDermott and a jury of eight men and four women. The case remains at the Central Criminal Court stage.
A 46‑year‑old woman, Mercy Peters, is on trial at the Central Criminal Court for the murder of her 42‑year‑old flatmate, Tyrone McKenna, who was stabbed to death on 17 July 2014 in their South Dublin home. Peters pleaded not guilty by reason of insanity, claiming that voices in her head compelled her to stab McKenna. The trial, which began on 7 May 2019, is a two‑day hearing before a jury of eight men and two women. Testimony from Sergeant David Bunn and psychiatric experts, including Professor Aiden Corvin and Dr Sally Linehan, details Peters' history of schizophrenia and a severe episode at the time of the offence, during which she reportedly heard her dead mother's voice urging her to act. The court has not yet delivered a verdict, and the case remains before Mr Justice Michael White.
During the trial, one of the two 14‑year‑old boys who denies murdering schoolgirl Anastasia Kriegel told a Garda that he believed the injuries the other accused claimed were inflicted by older boys were actually caused by Ana. The court heard that the boy, while giving DNA swabs, said Ana had put her hand across his shoulder and chest and that this might be helpful. Both boys, whose names cannot be disclosed because they are minors, pleaded not guilty to murder and to the aggravated sexual assault charge. The prosecution presented evidence that the boys were seen with Ana on the day she went missing and that one boy was beaten by two older youths in a local park. The trial continues before a jury and a judge.
During the trial of two 14‑year‑old boys charged with murdering Anastasia Kriegel, park ranger Norman Macken testified that on the day of her disappearance he heard a man banging on the ranger hut. The man claimed his son had been "jumped on" in the woods by "big fellas". Macken approached the boy, who appeared disheveled, with blood on his fingers and clothes, and described him as looking "like a rabbit caught in the headlights". The boy, about 16, did not engage with Macken and was later seen shaking. Macken noted the boy's father said he was capable of self‑defence. The testimony was given to the Central Criminal Court as part of the ongoing proceedings against the two accused boys, who have pleaded not guilty to murder and an aggravated sexual assault charge. The trial is before Mr Justice Paul McDermott with a jury of eight men and four women.
During the trial of two 14‑year‑old boys charged with the murder of Anastasia Kriegel, a dog walker named Gerard Redmond testified that he saw a schoolboy make a direct, 45‑degree turn from a low embankment into a ditch and then head straight toward the abandoned Glenwood House where Ana's body was found. Redmond described the boy's path as a "beeline" and suggested the boy was simply taking a shortcut home. A child witness also reported seeing Ana and one of the boys walking together in a nearby park, laughing and joking. Additional witnesses described the boy's injuries and alleged that he had been attacked by two people in the park. The court continued the hearing with a judge's order restricting reporting to a single media outlet. The trial proceeded before Mr Justice Paul McDermott and a jury. Glenwood House pleaded not guilty.
During the 2019 murder trial of Inga Ozolina, the prosecution presented evidence that Garda Sergeant Tony Hanrahan found the body of Audrius Pukas, 43, lying on his back in a downstairs bedroom of The Malthouse, Roscrea, on 20 November 2016. Hanrahan reported that Pukas was wearing only underwear, had no pulse, and was still warm, with blood around his left armpit and on the bed sheets. He also noted blood on Ozolina's calf. Paramedic Ronan Wall corroborated the lack of pulse and the left‑armpit wound. CCTV footage showed Ozolina arriving at Roscrea Garda Station at 2.30 am, wearing a bathrobe and slippers, then driving to The Malthouse where she was later arrested at 3.43 am. The trial, presided over by Mr Justice Alexander Owens, continued with a jury of twelve. The prosecution argued there was no self‑defence and that the relationship was volatile and violent. Ozolina pleaded not guilty.
In a trial at the Central Criminal Court, two fourteen‑year‑old boys are charged with murdering Kildare schoolgirl Anastasia Kriegel and, for one, with aggravated sexual assault. Both pleaded not guilty. Judge Paul McDermott, presiding over the case, ordered that no media reporting of evidence be allowed until the trial concludes. He reminded the jury that they must base their verdict solely on what they hear in court, ignoring any external coverage. The judge also announced that the restriction on reporting would remain in force until the trial ends or a further order is made. The proceedings continue with Mr Justice McDermott and a jury of eight men and four women. The accused cannot be named due to their minor status. The trial is ongoing.
The trial of two 14-year-old boys, referred to as Boy A and Boy B, charged with the murder of Anastasia Kriegel at Glenwood House in Lucan on 14 May last year, is ongoing before the Central Criminal Court. Both accused have pleaded not guilty to the murder charge. Boy A additionally faces a charge of aggravated sexual assault involving serious violence, to which he also pleaded not guilty. Gardai testified that the boys provided conflicting accounts of their last meeting with the victim. Boy A alleged he declined Ana's romantic interest and was subsequently assaulted by two unidentified males, claiming injuries to his right hand and leg. Boy B stated he had 'no clue' what happened to her after she appeared upset following her interaction with Boy A. Detective Sergeant John O'Keefe noted discrepancies between the boys' statements, while Sergeant Aonghus Hussey described observing confusion and inconsistent movements during a re-enactment at St Catherine's Park. The court heard that Boy A used his left hand to initial his statement due to a right-hand injury. The matter was adjourned and is scheduled to continue on Friday morning before Mr Justice Paul McDermott and a jury.
Anastasia Kriegel, 14, vanished on 14 May after leaving home with a boy she had known. Her father, Patric Kriegel, says he saw her walk away with the boy, now identified as Boy B, at about 5 pm, before her phone last connected to her mother's office at 5:32 pm. The State claims she was dead by that time. The trial, held at the Central Criminal Court, is the second day of proceedings against two 14‑year‑olds charged with her murder. Both accused, who cannot be named, pleaded not guilty. Boy A is also charged with aggravated sexual assault. The prosecution alleges the boys lured Ana to a derelict farmhouse where she was murdered. The case remains at the trial stage, with no verdict yet.
Patrick Quirke, a 50‑year‑old farmer from Breanshamore, Co. Tipperary, stands accused of murdering Bobby Ryan, a part‑time DJ known as Mr. Moonlight, who vanished on 3 June 2011 after leaving his girlfriend Mary Lowry's home. Ryan's body was discovered in an underground run‑off tank on Lowry's farm, leased by Quirke, on 30 April 2013. The trial, lasting 13 weeks with five days of closing arguments, has seen a jury of six men and six women deliberate for 18 hours and 24 minutes. Justice Eileen Creedon explained that a majority verdict requires at least ten votes in favour; otherwise the jury may write "disagree" on the issue paper. Quirke has pleaded not guilty, while the prosecution alleges he killed Ryan to rekindle an affair with Lowry. The defence contends the prosecution has not proved its case beyond a reasonable doubt and seeks Quirke's acquittal.
Five Criminal Asset Bureau officers, acting as applicants, are suing the State over a disputed 'field work' allowance. The applicants, who serve as forensic accountants and financial crime analysts, claim they are entitled to a €19,000 annual allowance paid to CAB officers seconded from Revenue, the Department of Social Protection, and Customs and Excise. They allege they perform identical dangerous duties, including attending search operations, preparing court documents, and interviewing dangerous criminals, often during anti-social hours. The applicants assert they were discriminated against, as the Minister for Justice previously rejected their 2008 claim, stating their work did not expose them to field risks comparable to other bureau staff. Although a €9,500 allowance was sanctioned in 2008 and increased in 2011, the applicants argue this is insufficient and seek orders directing the Minister to pay the full allowance plus arrears, along with declarations of entitlement. The State, represented by Peter Ward SC, denies the claims, asserting the applicants are not entitled to the payment and have been compensated according to their appointment terms. The defendant further contends the claims are misconceived in law and statute barred. Benedict Ó Floinn SC, instructed by solicitor Peter Dempsey, opened the case for the applicants, highlighting the perilous nature of their work and noting they attended an estimated 141 of 200 raids in 2008. The trial, before Mr Justice Senan Allen, continues.
Two 14‑year‑old boys are on trial in Dublin for the murder of 14‑year‑old Ana Kriegel. Prosecutor Brendan Grehan told the jury that one boy lured Ana from her home to a derelict farmhouse, where he watched the other boy sexually assault and kill her. The accused boy is also charged with aggravated sexual assault. Evidence presented included a zombie‑type mask in his backpack, male DNA on Ana's neck and semen in the murder scene, and a ligature tape matching the one found on her neck. The prosecution argued that the boy had planned the murder, lured Ana to the farmhouse, and then watched the assault and killing. Ana's body was found on 17 May, naked except for socks, with severe head and neck injuries. The trial is ongoing and the boys have pleaded not guilty.
In a Central Criminal Court trial, 48‑year‑old Inga Ozolina, originally from Latvia, pleaded not guilty to the murder of her 43‑year‑old boyfriend, Audrius Pukas, who was stabbed in the chest on 20 November 2016 at The Malthouse, Roscrea, Co. Tipperary. Prosecutor Paul Murray SC described their relationship as "tempestuous and volatile" and "violent at times", arguing there was no self‑defence. Gardaí arrived at the Roscrea apartment early on the night of the murder and found Pukas dead. A post‑mortem revealed three knife wounds: a fatal left‑chest wound that pierced the lung, heart, aortic valve, left pulmonary artery and aorta to a depth of 25.5 cm, a second 13‑cm wound on the right upper arm, and a superficial left‑chest abrasion.
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.
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 trial, lasting 13 weeks, concluded with closing speeches from defence and prosecution barristers. The prosecution alleges Quirke killed Ryan to rekindle an affair with Lowry, aged 52. The defence argues the prosecution has not proved the case beyond reasonable doubt and seeks Quirke's acquittal. Justice Eileen Creedon instructed the jury to avoid emotional influence and to handle circumstantial evidence carefully. The jury will return tomorrow for a sixth day of deliberations after more than 14 hours of discussion.
Two fourteen‑year‑old boys, whose names are withheld because they are minors, are set to go on trial for the murder of Kildare schoolgirl Anastasia Kriegel. The boys pleaded not guilty to the murder charge and one also pleaded not guilty to a separate charge of sexually assaulting the victim with serious violence. The body of Ms Kriegel was found at a derelict house in County Dublin on 17 May, three days after she was reported missing. The alleged killings took place at Glenwood House, Laraghcon, Clonee Road, Lucan on 14 May. Judge Paul McDermott swore in a jury of eight men and four women, stressing the need for an independent assessment and warning that the evidence could be upsetting. The trial is expected to last about six weeks.
A jury of seven men and five women was sworn in at the Central Criminal Court for the trial of Inga Ozolina, a 45‑year‑old Latvian woman, accused of murdering Lithuanian man Audrius Pukas, 43, at The Malthouse, Roscrea, on 20 November 2016. Ozolina, who now lives and works in Mountrath, Co. Laois, pleaded not guilty. Her trial will begin tomorrow before Mr Justice Alexander Owens at 11 a.m.
Seamus Marley, 45, pleaded not guilty at the Central Criminal Court to charges of sexual assault and anally raping two teenage boys in County Louth in the early 1990s. After a six‑day trial, the jury found him guilty on six counts of sexual assault and two counts of rape. The case centred on a large home owned by a "dedicated republican" that was used as a "safe house" for IRA volunteers. Marley was described by a character reference from his pastor as an "excellent Christian" with a "charitable spirit". The older victim reported being groped and anally raped by Marley, who warned him not to speak of the abuse. The younger victim described repeated groping, forced masturbation and an anally rape in a tent near the house. Marley had no prior convictions. The judge remanded him in custody and adjourned sentencing for the following Thursday.
The jury in the trial of Patrick Quirke, a 50‑year‑old farmer from Breanshamore, Co. Tipperary, has been sent home for the weekend and will return for a fifth day of deliberations on Monday. Quirke is charged with murdering Bobby Ryan, a part‑time DJ who disappeared on 3 June 2011 after leaving his girlfriend Mary Lowry's home. Ryan's body was found 22 months later in an underground run‑off tank on a farm owned by Lowry and leased by Quirke at Fawnagown, Tipperary. The prosecution alleges Quirke killed Ryan to rekindle an affair with Lowry, aged 52, while the defence argues the prosecution has not proved its case beyond a reasonable doubt and seeks acquittal. The jury, composed of six men and six women, has deliberated about 11 hours and faces two verdict options: guilty of murder or not guilty. Justice Eileen Creedon released the jury for the weekend, instructing them to return at 11 a.m.
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.
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 disappeared 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, while the defence argues the evidence does not prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. The jury, composed of six men and six women, resumed deliberations on Wednesday, having already spent over three and a half hours. They will reconvene on Thursday at 11 a.m. The only verdicts available are guilty of murder or not guilty. Ms Justice Eileen Creedon reminded the jury to base their decision on evidence, not emotion.
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.
In the Central Criminal Court, defence barrister Bernard Condon SC argued that the evidence against Patrick Quirke, 50, amounted only to suspicion and was insufficient to prove he killed Bobby Ryan, a part‑time DJ known as Mr Moonlight. Condon criticised the Garda investigation, claiming substandard evidence and failures such as not searching Mary Lowry's house, not videotaping the body's removal, and mishandling forensic items like a hair clip and maggots. He highlighted that Quirke's internet searches for DNA and body decomposition were general, not case‑specific, and that the prosecution's case required "enormous leaps." Condon urged the jury to start from the presumption of innocence, to scrutinise the weak evidence, and to acquit Quirke. The jury will return next Tuesday for the judge's charge before deliberation. Patrick Quirke pleaded not guilty.
At the Central Criminal Court, defence counsel Bernard Condon SC characterised Mary Lowry's evidence as fundamentally unreliable during closing arguments in the trial of Patrick Quirke, accused of murdering Bobby Ryan, known as Mr Moonlight. Mr Quirke, aged 50, of Breanshamore, County Tipperary, has pleaded not guilty to the murder of Mr Ryan, a part-time DJ, who disappeared on 3 June 2011 from Ms Lowry's home near Bundoran, Donegal. His remains were discovered in an underground tank on farmland at Fawnagowan 22 months later. Mr Condon submitted that Ms Lowry had altered her account of events between her initial 2011 statement to gardaí and her later testimony, particularly regarding observations she made on the morning of Mr Ryan's disappearance. He contended that she had demonstrated a pattern of inconsistency about the Bundoran incident and other matters, describing her as manipulative. The defence case proceeded that evidence of the former relationship between Ms Lowry and Mr Quirke, whilst complex, did not constitute evidence of murder. The trial continues before Ms Justice Eileen Creedon.
In the Central Criminal Court, the State's prosecution argued that Patrick Quirke, 50, committed a "callous, calculated, controlled murder" of Bobby Ryan, a part‑time DJ known as Mr Moonlight, on 3 June 2011. Ryan vanished after leaving his girlfriend Mary Lowry's home at 6.30 am; his body was discovered 22 months later in an underground run‑off tank on Lowry's farm, leased by Quirke. The prosecution alleged Quirke killed Ryan to rekindle an affair with Lowry, citing motive, financial pressure, and Quirke's possession of knowledge about the tank. They dismissed suicide, accident and other theories, insisting the evidence pointed to murder. Quirke pleaded not guilty. Defence counsel Bernard Condon countered that the prosecution's evidence was thin, largely circumstantial, and urged the jury to remain skeptical of Lowry's testimony and the alleged motive. The trial focused on the facts presented, with no verdict yet reached.
In a High Court hearing on 11 April 2019, trainer Gordon Elliott denied that he had spoken to John Boylan, the 32‑year‑old alleged drug dealer, about the purchase of Labaik, a horse that won the Supreme Novice's Hurdle at Cheltenham in March 2017. Elliott, who owns 5 % of Labaik, stated that the horse's 90 % share is held by Boylan, registered to Anthony O'Sullivan. He described Labaik as a "massive engine" with a quirk, noting the horse suffered a career‑threatening injury at Punchestown in April 2017. Elliott said the horse's value after Cheltenham was €250,000‑€300,000 but was now "not worth very much." Boylan has sued CAB for losses from the injury, while CAB alleges the horse was bought with proceeds of crime. The court will decide whether the purchase was financed by illicit funds and whether damages can be claimed. The judge will reserve judgment.
In the 2019 trial of farmer Patrick Quirke, who denies murdering his rival Bobby Ryan, the prosecution presented a circumstantial case described by counsel Michael Bowman SC as "forensically barren." Bowman urged the jury to rely on common sense, arguing that the evidence would compel a guilty verdict. He highlighted the absence of a weapon, precise location or time of death, and the lack of forensic traces. Bowman recounted alleged attempts by Quirke to sabotage Ryan's relationship with Mary Lowry, including a phone text, a report to Tusla, and a letter to a newspaper. He also cited CCTV footage of Quirke near Lowry's shed, Google searches on body decomposition, and the discovery of Ryan's body in a sealed underground tank. Bowman emphasized the improbability of coincidence, suggesting deliberate planning behind the disappearance and death of Bobby Ryan. The trial focused on these points without concluding a verdict. Patrick Quirke pleaded not guilty.
The trial of Farmer Patrick Quirke, 50, of Breanshamore, Co Tipperary, continued before Justice Eileen Creedon. Quirke, who has pleaded not guilty to the alleged murder of Bobby Ryan, a part-time DJ known as Mr Moonlight, faced cross-examination regarding internet searches for "body decomposition timeline." Quirke told gardai his son had recently died, stating, "That's all I'm saying." However, prosecution evidence indicated a similar search occurred in July 2012, prior to his son's death in August 2012, which gardai argued undermined his explanation. Quirke denied that this prior search invalidated his account for later searches. The court heard that gardai sent a sub aqua unit to Ardmore, Co Waterford, after a water diviner claimed the body would be found there. Quirke was arrested in June 2014 and interviewed regarding a seized hard drive containing searches on DNA limitations and decomposition. He denied staging the discovery of Ryan's body, which was found in an underground tank on a farm leased by Quirke in April 2013. Quirke alleged gardai did not properly investigate previously dropped assault charges against him. The prosecution claimed Quirke murdered Ryan to rekindle an affair with Mary Lowry. Quirke maintained his innocence, questioning the logic of murdering a man and then revealing the body's location. The jury was adjourned until Thursday.
During a trial at the Central Criminal Court, Chief Superintendent Dominic Hayes testified that a garda involved in the investigation of Bobby Ryan's disappearance had made a note in his notebook stating, "Mary Lowry had his head melted." Hayes could not recall who made the remark. Ryan, a 52‑year‑old part‑time DJ known as Mr Moonlight, vanished on 3 June 2011 after leaving his girlfriend Mary Lowry's house at 6:30 am. His body was discovered 22 months later in April 2013 in a run‑off tank on a farm owned by Lowry and leased by Patrick Quirke, a 50‑year‑old man from Breanshamore, Tipperary. The prosecution alleges Quirke murdered Ryan to rekindle an affair with Lowry, but Quirke has pleaded not guilty.
A jury found Terence Maguire, 63, not guilty of reckless endangerment after he cut a gas pipe in his Dublin home and lit a cigarette, causing a large explosion that destroyed his house and damaged neighbouring buildings and cars. Maguire had attempted suicide by inhaling gas and claimed he did not intend the explosion. He had a 13‑year history of mental illness and had been treated in psychiatric hospitals from 2009 to 2014. The trial heard that the natural gas was highly flammable but not poisonous, and that inhalation would make one sick but not kill. Maguire denied 13 charges of criminal damage to houses and cars. The jury acquitted him of the reckless endangerment charge, while the trial also considered his mental state and intent. Judge Elma Sheahan thanked the jurors and praised the conduct of the police and lawyers. The case was heard at Sullivan Street, Dublin 7, on 1 June 2014.
In the Dublin Circuit Criminal Court, a jury began deliberating on the case of Terence Maguire, 63, who cut a gas pipe in his home and took sleeping tablets before lighting a cigarette, causing a gas explosion that destroyed his house and damaged neighbouring buildings. Maguire pleaded not guilty to charges of recklessly creating a substantial risk of death or serious harm and to 13 counts of criminal damage. The judge instructed jurors to assess whether Maguire acted recklessly, considering his state of mind and belief about the risks. Defence counsel Brendan Grehan argued that Maguire intended only to kill himself and had no intention to cause the explosion, while the prosecution, led by Eoin Lawlor, maintained that Maguire was fully aware of the consequences and had disregarded the risk. Maguire had a 13‑year history of depression and had been treated in psychiatric hospitals from 2009 to 2014.
The trial of farmer Patrick Quirke, 50, for the alleged murder of Bobby Ryan, a part-time DJ known as Mr Moonlight, continued at the Central Criminal Court. Quirke, of Breanshamore, Co Tipperary, has pleaded not guilty to the charge. The prosecution alleges he murdered Ryan to rekindle an affair with Ryan's girlfriend, Mary Lowry. Ryan went missing in June 2011 and his body was found in an underground tank on a farm leased by Quirke in April 2013. Chief Superintendent Dominic Hayes, testifying for the defence, stated that injuries to Ryan's body were not caused by debris falling when the concrete lid covering the tank was removed. He confirmed that only minor debris fell and that the detachment of Ryan's arm was the only damage sustained during removal. Hayes also testified that Quirke has no previous convictions and is not suspected of other crimes, noting that prior burglary charges were withdrawn by the DPP. The cross-examination covered various investigative details, including the timing of phone masts, the examination of Lowry's home, and the handling of fingerprints and phone data. Hayes acknowledged that fingerprints from Ryan's van were not tested against Quirke's until recently, attributing this to a responsibility issue at Garda headquarters. He also noted that the Deputy State Pathologist did not attend the scene, which he stated had no negative impact on the examination. The matter was adjourned, with cross-examination to continue before Justice Eileen Creedon and a jury.
Mary Lowry's son, 19‑year‑old Jack Lowry, testified at the Central Criminal Court that Pat Quirke, 50, was "in control most of the time, grumpy some of the time" and that he moved around his mother's farm as if he owned it. Lowry's son described his relationship with Quirke's family, noting that Quirke leased the farm from his mother and that Quirke's children were known to the family. He recalled his mother's affair with Bobby Ryan, a part‑time DJ known as Mr Moonlight, who disappeared on 3 June 2011 after leaving the Lowry home. Ryan's body was found in an underground run‑off tank on the farm 22 months later. The prosecution alleges Quirke killed Ryan to rekindle the affair. Lowry's son also recounted his own childhood memories of the farm, the family's travels, and his limited recollection of the day Ryan went missing. The trial is ongoing, with the court presided over by Justice Eileen Creedon. Pat Quirke pleaded not guilty.
In a Dublin Circuit Criminal Court hearing, Terence Maguire, 63, pleaded not guilty to charges stemming from a 2014 gas explosion that destroyed four buildings. He admitted cutting a gas pipe in his home, taking sleeping tablets, and lighting a cigarette, which caused the blast. Maguire claimed he was not in a rational state of mind, citing 13 years of depression and multiple psychiatric hospital stays from 2009 to 2014. He described extreme suicidal thoughts on the day of the explosion and said he had no awareness of the danger of lighting a cigarette in a gas-filled room. He acknowledged that, in hindsight, his actions were reckless but asserted that his urgent suicidal intent overrode any consideration of recklessness. The case remains pending before Judge Elma Sheahan.
In a Dublin Circuit Criminal Court trial, 63‑year‑old Terence Maguire pleaded not guilty to charges of intentionally or recklessly creating a substantial risk of death or serious harm by causing a gas explosion during an alleged suicide attempt on June 1, 2014. Maguire allegedly cut through the inlet pipe of his domestic gas meter, placed towels under doors to trap gas, put a warning sign up, took sleeping tablets, and fell asleep. He later opened the back door, lit a cigarette, and an explosion occurred, demolishing his home and damaging neighbouring houses and cars. Witnesses described the blast as "utter devastation," with walls blown out, ceilings collapsed, and a mushroom cloud seen by a nearby driver. The trial, presided over by Judge Elma Sheahan, continues before a jury.
In a Central Criminal Court hearing, Detective Garda Fiona Maguire presented evidence that fingerprints recovered from a black diary and a driving licence taken from Bobby Ryan's van did not match those of the accused, Patrick Quirke. The prints were collected in 2013, after Ryan's body was found in an underground tank in April 2013. Maguire identified five marks on the diary and two palm marks on the licence, four of which belonged to Ryan's daughter Michelle; the remaining marks could not be identified. None matched Quirke's prints, and a national database search yielded no match. Detective Ernie Fraser also reported that fingerprints taken in 2012 from an aftershave bottle and the driver's door in the van likewise did not match Quirke. Quirke, 50, has pleaded not guilty to Ryan's murder.
In March 2019 the Central Criminal Court heard that Mary Lowry, aged 52, visited a psychic in Nenagh after her boyfriend Bobby "Mr Moonlight" Ryan disappeared on 3 June 2011. Ryan's body was found in an underground run‑off tank on Lowry's farm in Fawnagown, Tipperary, 22 months later in April 2013. Patrick Quirke, 50, is charged with Ryan's murder and has pleaded not guilty. Quirke allegedly called Lowry a "right bitch" and threatened to remove her from a Mass for his son. Evidence from Acting State Pathologist Dr Michael Curtis suggested the most likely cause of Ryan's injuries was impact with a vehicle, but the pathology evidence was described as "sub‑optimal". The trial continues before Justice Eileen Creedon and a jury of twelve.
In a Special Criminal Court hearing, two Dublin men, John Brock (46) and John Roche (55), were found to have acted in concert when they retrieved and transported 165 kg of explosives in a black Skoda Fabia. Gardaí had discovered four bags of explosives in the boot and 18 detonators under the front passenger seat on the Naas Road. The prosecution argued that the men possessed 57 kg of homemade ammonium nitrate fuel mix and thirty‑eight 2.5 kg rolls of Kemegel industrial explosives. Evidence from the National Surveillance Unit showed the car and its occupants were monitored from 5.55 pm on 13 April 2016, with the men stopping at Behans Quarry at 6.59 pm. Forensic analysis confirmed the items were explosives, and the court was instructed to infer the men's knowledge from their conduct and statements. Both men were remanded on continuing bail until 5 April, when judgment will be delivered. John Brock pleaded not guilty. John Roche pleaded not guilty.
During the Central Criminal Court trial, a hard drive seized from Patrick Quirke's home yielded a recording of Mary Lowry speaking with Flor Cantillon, the man who began seeing her after Bobby Ryan vanished. The audio, played by Detective Sergeant John Keane, shows Lowry laughing while reading a newspaper article about cross‑dressing, and Cantillon asking her about a verdict. Lowry confirmed the tape was of her and Cantillon, denied making or authorising the recording, and stated she was unaware of being recorded. She also testified that she had allowed her three children to be interviewed by Gardaí in 2013 after Bobby Ryan's body was found, and that she had not been permitted to attend the interview. The court heard that Quirke had expressed disapproval of Lowry's relationship with Ryan and had reported her to Tusla for allegedly leaving her children alone. The trial continues with further testimony from Lowry's brother, Eddie Quigley. Patrick Quirke pleaded not guilty.
The Special Criminal Court heard evidence in the trial of John Brock, 46, and John Roche, 55, who have pleaded not guilty to the alleged possession of 57kg of homemade ammonium nitrate fuel mix explosives and thirty-eight 2.5kg rolls of Kemegel industrial explosives at Naas Road, Dublin 12, on April 13, 2016. Prosecution witnesses testified that armed gardai recovered four bags of explosives and 18 detonators from a black Skoda Fabia stopped on the Naas Road. Detective Sergeant Thomas Power stated that Army Disposal Unit Commandant Oisin Dawson subsequently detonated the Kemegel packets in the Glen of Imaal. Forensic scientist Dr John O'Shaughnessy confirmed the samples were explosives under the Explosive Substances Act 1883. Sergeant Raymond Tadhg of the Special Detective Unit testified that during an interview, Brock was asked to account for the explosives, detonators, and his presence at Behans Quarry. Brock gave no reply and declined to sign the interview memorandum. Prosecution counsel Anne-Marie Lawlor SC informed the court, presided over by Justice Tony Hunt with Judges Patricia Ryan and Ann Ryan, that the prosecution case had closed. The matter was adjourned and the trial continues.
In the ongoing trial of Patrick Quirke, who has pleaded not guilty to the alleged murder of part-time DJ Bobby Ryan, Professor Jack Crane provided expert pathologist evidence. Crane, a former State Pathologist for Northern Ireland, reviewed the post-mortem conducted by Dr. Khalid Jaber, who was unavailable to testify. He confirmed that Ryan died from blunt force trauma to the head, causing brain bleeding, with injuries including skull fractures, nine rib fractures, and a femur fracture. Crane stated these severe head injuries could not have resulted from a simple fall into the tank where the body was found 22 months after Ryan went missing in June 2011. He rejected the possibility of a motor vehicle collision, noting the injury pattern was inconsistent with such an impact. Crane also testified that it was plausible the body was placed rather than thrown into the sealed tank, citing the unnatural position of the arms and limited insect infestation. During cross-examination, Crane criticized aspects of Dr. Jaber's report, including incorrect assumptions about toxicity and insufficient examination of the skull. He noted that concrete fragments fell on the body during recovery, which he had not previously known about. The trial continues, with no verdict or sentence recorded at this stage.
In a Special Criminal Court hearing, armed Gardaí seized four bags of explosives and 18 detonators from a black Skoda Fabia on Naas Road. The vehicle's driver, John Brock (46), and owner, John Roche (55), denied knowledge of the 150 kg of explosives found. They were charged with possession of 57 kg of homemade ammonium nitrate fuel mix and thirty‑eight 2.5 kg rolls of Kemegel industrial explosives. Gardaí, acting on intelligence that IRA members might possess explosives, stopped the car at 7 p.m. on 13 April 2016. Brock was handcuffed after being asked to exit the vehicle, while Roche was forced to lie face‑down and was also handcuffed. Both men were arrested under Section 30 of the Offences Against the State Act. John Brock pleaded not guilty. John Roche pleaded not guilty.
A forensic anthropologist giving evidence at the Central Criminal Court has expressed doubt that a fractured femur found on the remains of Bobby Ryan could have resulted from concrete debris falling during the body's removal from a tank. Dr Rene Gapert, examining bones retrieved from an underground run-off tank on a farm at Fawnagown, County Tipperary, identified human and animal remains among the fragments. He told the court the femur, being the body's strongest bone, was unlikely to have sustained such an injury from the falling concrete when gardaí used a digger to remove a slab covering the tank. Mr Ryan's body was discovered in April 2013, approximately 22 months after he went missing in June 2011. Patrick Quirke, aged 50, of Breanshamore, County Tipperary, has pleaded not guilty to his murder. The trial, before Justice Eileen Creedon and a jury, continues.
In a Central Criminal Court hearing, Patrick Quirke, aged 50, denied claims that he tried to exploit Mary Lowry, a 52‑year‑old widow, for financial gain. Quirke, who is charged with the murder of DJ Bobby Ryan, explained that his financial dealings with Lowry involved tens of thousands of euros, including a €20,000 loan and a €50,000 cheque that he denied Lowry ever issued. He described a long‑running affair with Lowry from 2008 to 2010, noting that he was angry when she began a relationship with Ryan but denied jealousy. Quirke also detailed his rental of Lowry's farm, payments received from EU subsidies, and his investment in contracts for difference, claiming he managed the money responsibly. He maintained that Lowry was not vulnerable and that any financial arrangements were mutual. The case remains pending before Justice Eileen Creedon and a jury. Patrick Quirke pleaded not guilty.