The Supreme Court has ruled that the seizure of Patrick Quirke’s computer was unlawful.
The decision raises question marks over his murder conviction.
In 2019, the 53-year-old farmer from Breanshamore, Co Tipperary, was found guilty of murdering local DJ Bobby ‘Mr Moonlight Ryan.
Due to the invalidity of a warrant, the Supreme Court has today decided that the investigation team had no right to seize his computer during a search of his home.
Supreme Court rules that the seizure of Patrick Quirke’s computer was UNLAWFUL. His internet search history was used as evidence in his trial for the murder of Bobby ‘Mr Moonlight’ Ryan. No order made as to the validity of his murder conviction. Case put back until Mar 29.
— Frank Greaney (@FrankGreaney) March 20, 2023
Internet searches for body decomposition were found on his computer and put to the jury at his trial.
The case will be mentioned again later this month ahead of a hearing to decide what consequences flow from today’s decision in relation to Quirke's conviction for murder.
