Date For Tipperary Murder Appeal Likely In December

**Central Criminal Court, Dublin.** *Photo G. Willoughby*

An appeal against the conviction for murder in the Central Criminal Court, by a Tipperary farmer from Breanshamore, Co. Tipperary, is likely to be set this coming December.

Mr Pat Quirke appealed against his conviction for the murder of love rival, fifty- two-year old Mr Bobby Ryan in May. His guilt had been decided following a majority jury verdict of 10 – 2.

Following his trial and conviction, which lasted 15 weeks and was the longest murder trial to date in the history of the Irish State; the 50-year-old farmer lodged a notice of intention to appeal. However, we understand Mr Quirke and his defence team have yet to file grounds for this appeal, which are expected to centre around rulings made in the absence of the jury, by Ms Justice Eileen Creedon.

Mr Quirke had denied any involvement in the murder of Mr Bobby Ryan, latter a quarry worker and part-time DJ known locally as “Mr Moonlight”.

The prosecution had alleged Mr Quirke murdered Mr Ryan before hiding his body in an underground waste water tank. This action enabled Mr Quirke to rekindle a love affair with a widow named as Mrs Mary Lowry, who had begun a relationship with Mr Ryan.