Jury foreman in love rival trial says they do 'not yet' have a verdict

The jury in the trial of a farmer who denies murdering his alleged love rival will return to the Central Criminal Court for their eighth day of deliberations tomorrow.

The six men and six women have been considering their verdict since last Tuesday and have spent a total of 18 hours and 24 minutes deliberating behind closed doors.

Shortly after 1pm today, the registrar at the Central Criminal Court asked the foreman if they had reached a verdict. He replied: "Not yet".

At 4pm, Justice Eileen Creedon sent them home and asked them to return tomorrow.

Patrick Quirke (50) of Breanshamore, Co Tipperary has pleaded not guilty to the murder of Bobby Ryan, a part-time DJ going by the name Mr Moonlight.

Mr Ryan went missing on June 3, 2011, after leaving his girlfriend Mary Lowry’s home at about 6.30am. His body was found in an underground run-off tank on the farm owned by Ms Lowry and leased by the accused at Fawnagown, Tipperary, 22 months later on April 30, 2013.

The jury of six men and six women have been considering the evidence put before them during a 13-week trial which was followed by a week of closing speeches from barristers for the defence and prosecution.

The prosecution claims that Mr Quirke murdered Mr Ryan so he could rekindle an affair with Ms Lowry (52). The defence says the prosecution has failed to prove their case beyond a reasonable doubt and that Mr Quirke should be acquitted.

In her charge last week, Ms Justice Creedon told the jury they must not be influenced by emotion, sympathy, anger or disgust, and they must treat circumstantial evidence against the accused with care.