A planned television drama series based on the "Mr. Moonlight" murder trial, Ireland's longest-ever murder trial, has stirred unease in the Tipperary villages where the events unfolded. The case, which centered on the love triangle involving DJ Bobby Ryan, his girlfriend Mary Lowry, and Patrick Quirke, resulted in Quirke's conviction for murder in 2019.
Locals in Bansha, the home village of Mary Lowry, and surrounding areas have largely remained silent on the upcoming RTÉ and BBC co-production. This reticence, however, is not born of embarrassment but of a desire to respect the privacy of those whose lives were irrevocably altered by the crime. Some residents voiced their upset, questioning the necessity of revisiting such a painful chapter years later.
Bobby Ryan, a 52-year-old truck driver and part-time DJ known as "Mr. Moonlight," disappeared in June 2011. His van was found abandoned, but his body was not discovered until two years later in a disused tank on Mary Lowry's farm. The investigation uncovered an extramarital affair between Lowry and Quirke, and evidence suggested a plot to acquire farmland. The prosecution's case against Quirke was entirely circumstantial, as no murder weapon was found and the exact time and location of Ryan's death were never definitively established.
During the investigation, authorities found evidence including sex tapes of Quirke and Lowry, covert recordings of Lowry, and internet searches by Quirke related to decomposition and other murder cases. These details were not presented to the jury during the 13-week trial.
RTÉ announced the drama series last week, a decision that has left many local residents mystified. The series is based on a book by former Irish Daily Mail journalist Catherine Fegan and features actors Brendan Coyle as Bobby Ryan, Sinéad Keenan as Mary Lowry, and Owen McDonnell as Patrick Quirke. Filming has reportedly taken place in Co. Meath and at Blanchardstown Courthouse in Dublin, with crews recently recreating scenes in Tipperary.
Mary Lowry, when contacted, stated she knew nothing about the drama series. Residents have expressed sympathy for all families involved and noted that both Lowry and Quirke's wife, Imelda, continue to live locally, with Imelda's son farming land previously owned by his father. Lowry remains active in local community initiatives, such as the Tidy Towns committee and the local agriculture show.
Despite some local misgivings, RTÉ stated that all individuals featured in the co-production had been asked for their blessing. Bobby Ryan's children, Michelle and Robert, have reportedly cooperated with the production company, with Michelle Ryan contributing to the series' development.