Thursday 29 October 2026Compiled from published reports. Every claim links to its source.

Ireland Crime

Every case followed from the first report to the sentence, or to where the reporting stopped.

Case No. 7792Murder · Co. Tipperary

Supreme Court to rule on effect of computer search ruling on Patrick Quirke murder conviction

Bobby Ryan, a DJ known as Mr Moonlight, was last seen alive on June 3rd, 2011, after leaving Mary Lowry's home early that morning. His remains were found in a disused underground tank on a farm at Fawnagowan, Co Tipperary, on April 30th, 2013, and Patrick Quirke, a Co Tipperary farmer, was arrested after the discovery. Quirke was convicted in 2019 of Ryan's murder by a 10-2 majority jury verdict, lost an appeal to the Court of Appeal, and the Supreme Court agreed to hear a further appeal. In March 2023 the Supreme Court ruled that gardaí unlawfully searched the contents of a computer from Quirke's home and that such a search must be judicially authorised. The Supreme Court is due to rule on Friday on the effect of that decision on the murder conviction, including whether a retrial may be ordered.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In court24 Jul
  5. Verdict
  6. Sentenced
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
  • Bobby Ryan, a DJ known as Mr Moonlight, was the alleged victim of the murder for which Patrick Quirke was convicted.
  • The trial heard that the computer was used for internet searches on the decomposition of human remains and the limitations of forensic DNA.
Other details
Patrick Quirke is a Co Tipperary farmer.
When
  • Bobby Ryan was last seen alive on June 3rd, 2011, leaving Mary Lowry's home early that morning.
  • Bobby Ryan's remains were found on April 30th, 2013.
Where
Bobby Ryan's remains were found in a disused underground tank on a farm at Fawnagowan, Co Tipperary.
Investigation
Patrick Quirke was arrested after Bobby Ryan's remains were found.
In court
  • Patrick Quirke was convicted in 2019 by a 10-2 majority jury verdict after denying the murder charge.
  • Patrick Quirke lost an appeal to the Court of Appeal, and the Supreme Court agreed to hear a further appeal.
  • In March 2023 the Supreme Court ruled that gardaí unlawfully searched the contents of a computer from Quirke's home.
  • The Supreme Court ruled that a search of the computer's contents must be judicially authorised, and the search warrant was granted under section 6 of the Criminal Justice Act 2006.
  • A seven-judge court heard submissions last May from lawyers for Patrick Quirke and the Director of Public Prosecutions.
  • The issues include whether the court may order a retrial, as Quirke's lawyers sought, or rule itself on the computer evidence.
  • The Supreme Court will rule on Friday on the effect of its decision on Patrick Quirke's murder conviction.
13 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatThe trial heard the computer was used for internet searches on the decomposition of human remains and the limitations of forensic DNA. (irishtimes.com)
  • whenBobby Ryan was last seen alive on June 3rd, 2011, leaving Mary Lowry's home early that morning. (irishtimes.com)
  • whenBobby Ryan's remains were found in a disused underground tank on a farm at Fawnagowan on April 30th, 2013. (irishtimes.com)
  • investigationQuirke was arrested after Bobby Ryan's remains were found. (irishtimes.com)
  • courtThe Supreme Court will rule on Friday on the effect of its decision on Patrick Quirke's murder conviction. (irishtimes.com)
  • courtThe seven-judge court heard submissions last May from lawyers for Quirke and the Director of Public Prosecutions. (irishtimes.com)
  • courtThe issues include whether the court may order a retrial, as Quirke's lawyers sought. (irishtimes.com)
  • courtThe Supreme Court gave judgment last March on Quirke's appeal against his 2019 conviction for the 2011 murder of Bobby Ryan. (irishtimes.com)
  • courtThe Supreme Court ruled that gardaí unlawfully searched the content of a computer from Quirke's home. (irishtimes.com)
  • courtThe Supreme Court ruled that a search of the computer's contents must be judicially authorised. (irishtimes.com)
  • courtThe search warrant was granted under section 6 of the Criminal Justice Act 2006. (irishtimes.com)
  • courtQuirke was convicted by a 10-2 majority jury verdict after denying the murder charge. (irishtimes.com)
  • courtQuirke lost an appeal to the Court of Appeal, and the Supreme Court agreed to hear a further appeal. (irishtimes.com)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 24 Jul2023
    In courtirishtimes.com, follow-up
    Supreme Court to rule on effect of decision on Patrick Quirke murder conviction

    Previews the Supreme Court's follow-on judgment after its March ruling that a computer search was unlawful. Adds the retrial question, the seven-judge hearing last May and background on the 2013 discovery of Bobby Ryan's remains.

    convicted, Patrick Quirke, male, named, irish (judged from name)Patrick Quirkevictim, Bobby Ryan, male, irish (judged from name)Bobby Ryan