The judge in the trial of a Co Tipperary farmer who denies murdering his alleged love rival has told the jury she will accept a majority verdict. This meant they could come to a verdict on the basis of an 11 to one, or 10 to two, decision. Mr Ryan went missing on June 3rd 2011 after leaving his girlfriend Mary Lowry’s home at about 6.30am. 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.

Source: The Irish Times May 01, 2019 10:29 UTC