Ireland

Tipperary farmer to appeal conviction for murder of `Mr Moonlight' DJ Bobby Ryan

The prosecution claimed Patrick Quirke had murdered Mr Ryan so he could rekindle an affair
The prosecution claimed Patrick Quirke had murdered Mr Ryan so he could rekindle an affair The prosecution claimed Patrick Quirke had murdered Mr Ryan so he could rekindle an affair

FARMER Patrick Quirke, who was jailed for life earlier this month after the longest murder trial in the history of the Republic, is to appeal his conviction.

The 52-year-old from Breanshamore in Co Tipperary was found guilty of the murder of Bobby Ryan who went missing on June 3 2011, after leaving his girlfriend Mary Lowry's home.

His body was found in an underground run-off tank on the farm owned by Ms Lowry and leased by Quirke 22 months later.

The prosecution claimed Quirke had murdered Mr Ryan so he could rekindle an affair with Ms Lowry (52).

His legal team lodged papers supporting his appeal on last week.

It appeal will be heard by the criminal division of the Court of Appeal and is likely to focus on decisions made by Ms Justice Eileen Creedon in response to legal arguments made during the trial.

The appeal may not be heard until next year.