Journalists

President Higgins goes off-script with jibes at Brexit in Germany 

Perhaps it was down to being a guest in a land of famously plain speakers that made Michael D Higgins abandon the usual diplomatic sidestepping when it came to talking about "the B word", as he called it.

'Our nearest neighbour continues to throw a tantrum' - President Higgins talks Brexit during state trip to Germany 

“Don’t worry” was the German President’s message of reassurance to Ireland amid the continuing Brexit uncertainty, on the first day of Michael D Higgins’ State visit.

'Never has Europe been more important for Ireland' - President Michael D Higgins warns of Brexit challenges 

THE decision of the United Kingdom to leave the European Union involves profound challenges for Ireland, President Michael D Higgins has warned, saying: “Never has Europe been more important for Ireland.”

Nicola Anderson: 'Forget the duvet day - a stolen afternoon at the seaside is the most sinful of pleasures' 

Down at the water's edge, a woman rushed up in a panic.

Mourning Manus Kelly: 'I don't think he realised how he touched people's hearts' 

Outside the church, a special Donegal International Rally ramp had been erected, and with heartbreaking symbolism, Manus Kelly crossed it for the final time.

'World famous' in the Liberties, now locals want a plaque to honour Brendan Grace 

An RTÉ documentary in 1976 focused on Brendan Grace's roots in the Dublin Liberties and his 'reminiscences'. He was just 25 years of age - and already a national legend.

Judge says solicitors must be more 'selective' as €300,000 in injury claims are dismissed 

A judge has said some solicitors should be more selective about who they accept as clients as she dismissed five fraudulent personal injury claims for up to €300,000.

'Plump' rat invades Dáil bar before Bríd gets cheesed off with Taoiseach 

There was a rat in the Private Members' Bar - neither the first time, nor the last, said the wags, of course.

Higgins charms Germany with his ode to EU solidarity 

The red carpet rolled out at his train in Berlin. Some 50 polizei escorting him wherever his cavalcade went - the ultimate honour, apparently.

End 'hateful squabbles' in Europe, says President Michael D Higgins as he continues state trip to Germany 

Days after British MEPs turned their back on the European Parliament during the EU anthem, Ode to Joy, President Michael D Higgins is in Leipzig, where it was written, calling for a new conversation on how Europe is to change.

'I don’t think he realised how he touched people's hearts' - funeral of Manus Kelly in Donegal 

Resounding applause sounded as the “legendary achievements” of rally driver and councillor Manus ‘Mandy’ Kelly (41) were recalled at his funeral.

Nicola Anderson: 'No bite-back from the public as they throw their weight behind staff on picket line' 

Outside the Rotunda Hospital, spirits were being kept aloft with picket line chants of 'Come on Paschal, don't be a rascal' with a chorus of supportive honking car horns.

Obsession with weather harks back to piseogs of our ancestors 

If cats cough, if spiders leave off from spinning their webs, or if a frog's coat looks black, rain is nigh.

Nicola Anderson: 'Clever pupils on the ball to meet Trump on golf links' 

Doonbeg heaved a sigh of relief as its own D-Day (D for Donald) went off without a hitch.

'A Secret Service agent came over to tell us' - Trump meets local schoolchildren before round of golf at Doonbeg Resort 

Brexit will be 'very, very good' for Ireland, says Trump as he touches down at Shannon Airport 

US President Donald Trump has predicted that Brexit will be "very, very good" for Ireland.

'No indication of any trouble ahead' - 1,500 gardai prepare for Donald Trump visit 

As final preparations are made for the arrival of US President Trump at Shannon airport, Garda have said there is no indication of any trouble ahead.

Doonbeg at the ready as upbeat locals to welcome US president 

Drowned after a morning spent looking for golf balls in the rough, one of the caddies from the golf club had come down to the village for a hot chocolate with "loads of sugar".

'Under Dog' has its day as canine paradise turns heads at Bloom festival 

It's one thing building a show-stopping garden for dogs - but when you get a show-stopping dog into the bargain, that's when it really comes alive.

'I’m in eye of hurricane': Ian Bailey breaks silence 

Sitting in a suntrap in his home in West Cork, Ian Bailey had just received the phonecall informing him that he had just been sentenced to 25 years in prison for the murder of Sophie Toscan du Plantier.

Madigan should be 'candid' on swing fall case - Martin 

Fianna Fáil leader Micheál Martin has called on the Culture Minister to clarify if she played any role in the compensation case lodged by Maria Bailey.

Bloom 2019: Burst of sunshine as Bloom festival gets a bright start 

There were personal reasons why President Michael D Higgins and his wife Sabina found one garden at Bloom to be a particularly moving experience. The Trócaire 'Stolen Lands' exhibit was a deeply poignant reminder of their close friend Sally O'Neill, the Irish human rights activist who died tragically last month in a car crash in Guatemala.

Crash, bang, wallop: backdrop falls down around Paschal, but he laughs off mishaps 

The minister would talk to us - "but it won't be outside", winced a press officer.

Lawyers keep their powder dry as Daly wins her ticket to 'rattle a few cages' 

The lawyers were amongst the first to arrive, along with the Fianna Fáil backroom heavyweights. Clare Daly was in a Julian Assange T-shirt.

More than 200 women elected to council seats suggests 'sea-change' on the way 

With all the talk of the Green Wave, it was easy to overlook the fact that the tide also came in for women in the local elections.

As the interminable counting drags on at the RDS centre, all the talk is about a particular radio interview... 

It wouldn't be a count if there wasn't a row about procedure.

Nicola Anderson: 'The tallymen were in place as the RDS clock tower struck 9am - this was the blood sport they loved' 

A CORK shot off a bottle of champagne at the North Dublin count centre in the RDS, narrowly missing bystanders as it sailed through the air.

After the Kylie backlash, Leo resists any urge to Spice up his life 

Leo's heart might have said 'Spice up your life' - but his head said 'remember the Kylie fiasco'.

Fairytale visit leaves tourists 'blown away' as they meet beaming prince 

The quiet serenity of an ancient monastic site with its majestically soaring round tower - and a real-life visiting prince ambling among the gently sloping tombstones.

Prince Charles and Camilla congratulated on grandchild Archie as they meet public in Wicklow 

Prince Charles and Camilla have thanked the public for their wellwishes on the arrival of grandchild Archie - as they explored Wicklow for the second day of their trip to Ireland.

Royals show diplomacy as stubborn Brexit pall hangs over relations 

Back like the swallows, Charles and Camilla could hardly hide their genuine delight to be on Irish soil once again.

'Vital links' between Ireland and the UK must remain 'whatever happens', Prince Charles says during Co Wicklow visit 

Prince Charles has said that “whatever happens” in the future, Ireland and the United Kingdom need to maintain their “vital links” that exist between us.

'It's wonderful to be back' - Prince Charles greeted by President Michael D Higgins in Wicklow 

A celebration of peace took place to mark the return visit of the British royal couple, Prince Charles and his wife Camilla the Duchess of Cornwall.

Nicola Anderson: 'Two sisters-in-law now dealing with devastating fall-out from Quirke trial' 

Sisters-in-law, once so close they used to go away on family holidays together.

Patrick Quirke will appeal his conviction for murder 

Farmer Pat Quirke is already planning to appeal his conviction for the murder of love rival Bobby Ryan.

Search team were told 'not to go near the farm' 

A retired police officer involved in the search for murder victim Bobby Ryan has said she found it "shocking" that gardaí involved in the search did not take notes.

How Pat Quirke was cornered in Court 13 

It was the longest running murder trial in Irish criminal history - and it held the nation enthralled.

Nicola Anderson: 'Eerie silence hung in court after jury delivered verdict' 

When the verdict came, Patrick Quirke was outdoors on the terrace of the courts complex, soaking up the fresh air and sunshine along with his faithful wife, Imelda. They had spent the majority of their time there during the jury deliberations.

Patrick Quirke found guilty: The key players in the 'Mr Moonlight' trial 

The key players:

Fatal attraction: The affair that led to murder as Pat Quirke's love boiled over into hatred 

Less than four months after an agony aunt advised him to take stock of his life and 'make good', Patrick Quirke decided to take matters into his own hands and solve the 'problem' in the most brutal and savage way imaginable.

Sex tapes and Quirke reading up on 'perfect murder' by Joe O'Reilly - what jury was not told 

'Sex tapes" of Patrick Quirke and Mary Lowry, as well as of Quirke and his wife Imelda, were discovered by gardaí on Quirke's computer.

Sex tapes and Joe O'Reilly internet searches: the evidence the 'love rival' jury didn't get to hear 

“SEX tapes” of Patrick Quirke and Mary Lowry, as well as of Quirke and his wife, Imelda, were discovered by gardaí on Quirke’s computer.

Mary Lowry profiled: The witness who 'bared her soul' for the 'love rival' trial 

ALL eyes were on Mary Lowry as she came to court over her four days of evidence during which she “bared her soul” for the benefit of the Prosecution.

Bobby Ryan profiled: The twinkly-eyed DJ who was 'loved to bits' by all 

THE longer the trial went on, the more poignant became the photograph of Bobby Ryan with his kindly round face and twinkling eyes.

'Love rival' trial: How Patrick Quirke was found guilty in Courtroom 13 

IT was the longest running murder trial in Irish criminal history - and it held the nation enthralled.

'Love rival' verdict: Patrick Quirke shows no emotion as he is handed down life sentence for the murder of Bobby Ryan 

FARMER Patrick Quirke has been found guilty of murdering his love rival Bobby Ryan.

'No other rational hypothesis' than Quirke's guilt, claims prosecution 

Bobby Ryan was murdered by somebody who presented with the information and the knowledge possessed cumulatively by one person - Patrick Quirke, the prosecution has argued.

Mary Lowry 'a dangerous witness', love rival trial told 

Circumstantial evidence is "not a shortcut to a conviction", the barrister for Patrick Quirke told the jury in the Tipperary murder trial.

Quirke wanted to 're-engage' with Mary Lowry after disappearance of Bobby Ryan, trial hears 

The jury in the Tipperary murder trial has heard that while Patrick Quirke claimed he was "always afraid of Mary Lowry", he pursued her after Bobby Ryan disappeared and wanted to re-engage on going on family holidays together "as if Bobby Ryan had never entered the picture."

'Love rival' trial: Patrick Quirke's behaviour 'was no coincidence', jury is told 

The jury in the Tipperary murder trial has been called upon to "use their common sense", relying on pathology, circumstance and the "most extraordinary circumstances" in which the body of Bobby Ryan was found "cocooned" in a run-off pit.

'Love rival' trial: 'The human condition can only tolerate so much coincidence', jury told 

"THE human condition can only tolerate so much coincidence before we shake our head and say that is not coincidence - that is planned," the jury have been told in the Patrick Quirke murder trial.

Patrick Quirke describes theory he alerted gardaí to be 'in control' of murder probe as 'load of crap', court told 

Patrick Quirke asked gardaí why he would murder Bobby Ryan and then show people where his body was and "try to manipulate that".

Tipperary 'love rival' trial: Diviner had claimed to know where to find body 

The prosecution has rested its case in the Patrick Quirke murder trial.

Tipperary 'love rival' trial: Quirke rejected suggestion he staged discovery of body 

Gardaí asked Pat Quirke about searches for human decomposition carried out on his computer and he told them: "My son had recently died. That's all I'm saying."

'Mary Lowry had his head melted' - love rival trial hears 

A senior garda said he could not recall who had said "Mary Lowry had his head melted" which was recorded as a comment in his notes made during the initial investigation into Bobby Ryan's disappearance.

'Mary Lowry had his head melted,' garda's note read - but he can not recall who said it 

A senior garda has told how he could not recall who had said "Mary Lowry had his head melted" - a comment which appeared in his notes of the initial disappearance of Bobby Ryan.

'Mary Lowry had his head melted' - Senior garda quizzed over notes in missing persons investigation 

A SENIOR Garda has told how he could not recall who had said "Mary Lowry had his head melted" - a comment which appeared in his notes of what was at the time, a missing persons investigation.

Quirke faced charges of burglary and having a key to Lowry's home 

Patrick Quirke was charged in 2012 with two burglaries and with possession of a key to Mary Lowry's house - however, the DPP directed the charges be dropped.

Bobby Ryan's body suffered no injury while being removed from tank, Tipperary 'love rival' murder trial hears 

BOBBY Ryan's body suffered no injury in the process of removing his body from the tank, Chief Superintendent Dominic Hayes told the Tipperary murder trial.

'Love rival' trial: Quirke 'went around the farm as if he sort of owned the place' - Mary's son 

Pat Quirke was "in control most of the time, grumpy some of the time", Mary Lowry's middle son has told the Tipperary murder trial.

Mary Lowry was 'unhappy but not angry' she couldn't sit in on Garda interviews with children 

Mary Lowry was "unhappy and upset" rather than angry at being told that she could not sit in on the Garda interviews of her three young children, the Tipperary murder trial has heard.

'Love rival' trial: Fingerprints found in Bobby Ryan's van did not match suspect, court hears 

A GARDA who took statements from the three Lowry children told the Tipperary murder trial that Mary Lowry was "unhappy and upset" rather than angry because she couldn't be present in the room during the interviews.

DJ died from blunt force trauma to the head - 'most likely from vehicular impact' 

The 'most likely mechanism' of Bobby Ryan's death was 'vehicular impact', the acting State Pathologist Dr Michael Curtis has said.

Love rival trial: Quirke's slur against Mary Lowry 

A brother of Mary Lowry has told the Tipperary murder trial the accused, Patrick Quirke, had called his sister "a right bitch" and said she gave neither him nor his wife Imelda support after the tragic death of their young son.

Quirke accused Mary Lowry of being 'a right bitch,' her brother tells Mr Moonlight trial 

Mary Lowry's brother has told the Tipperary murder trial Patrick Quirke called Mary "a right bitch" and said she had not given him or his wife Imelda any support following the tragic death of their son Alan (11).

'Love rival' trial: Pat Quirke told Mary Lowry's brother she was a 'right bitch' and wasn't supporting him after tragic death of his son 

MARY Lowry's brother has told the Tipperary murder trial that Patrick Quirke called Mary "a right bitch" and said she had not given him or his wife any support following the tragic death of his son, Alan (11).

'Quirke had nothing good to say about Bobby Ryan,' brother tells the jury 

Patrick Quirke "hadn't anything good to say about Bobby Ryan" and asked Mary Lowry's brother to "talk sense" into her, the Tipperary murder trial heard.

Voices in recording found on hard drive were 100pc my own and Flor's, says Mary 

Mary Lowry has told the Tipperary murder trial how she "did not give permission" for the recording of a conversation between her and her boyfriend that was discovered on a hard drive seized from the house of Patrick Quirke.

Expert believes DJ's injuries due to blows from blunt object 

A pathologist has told the Tipperary murder trial he believes Bobby Ryan died from extensive head injuries caused by blows from a "heavy blunt object, possibly linear in shape" rather than an impact from a vehicle.

Forensic anthropologist who assisted in identification of Grenfell Tower victims gives evidence in Tipperary murder trial 

A FORENSIC anthropologist who assisted in the identification of victims from the tragic Grenfell fire tragedy in the UK was involved in the examination of bones taken from the run-off tank in the Tipperary murder trial.

Quirke denies he used Mary Lowry and was getting 'cash and sex on demand' 

Patrick Quirke denied "using Mary Lowry in every way", telling gardaí that the "that gain was a two-way street".

'Love rival' trial: Pat Quirke denied he was getting cash and sex 'on demand' from Mary Lowry 

PAT QUIRKE denied an allegation by gardaí that he was getting "cash on demand and sex on demand" from Mary Lowry, describing it as "a downright lie".

Quirke told social worker that Lowry 'lost run of herself' in new relationship 

A social worker has told how she received a phone call from Patrick Quirke complaining that Mary Lowry had "lost the run of herself" over a new relationship and was jeopardising "the wellbeing and safety" of her children.

Search for 'Bobby Ryan' carried out on Mary Lowry's computer day before remains were discovered - trial hears 

A search for 'Bobby Ryan' was carried out on Mary Lowry's computer the day before Mr Ryan's remains were discovered, the Tipperary murder trial has heard.

Searches made on computer for 'timeline of human body decomposition' 

Google searches for "human body decomposition timeline", carried out almost five months before the discovery of the remains of Bobby Ryan, were found on a computer taken from the house of Patrick Quirke.

Computer taken from Quirke's house had Google searches for 'human decomposition timeline' 

GOOGLE searches for "human decomposition timeline" were carried out 18 months after the disappearance of Bobby Ryan on a computer taken from Patrick Quirke's house, the Tipperary murder trial has heard.

Jury warned not to discuss trial evidence 

The jury in the Tipperary murder trial has been warned not to discuss the case, which the judge said "was really being discussed by just about everyone in the country, at this point".

'Dispose of clothes/phone/other evidence' - indentations on notepad in Quirke's home 

Focus fell neatly on the written word during this week of the Tipperary murder trial.

Jury in 'love rival' trial warned not to discuss the case 

THE jury in the Tipperary murder trial has been warned not to discuss the case, which the Judge said was “was really being discussed by just about everyone in the country, at this point.”

DJ's body suffered 'extensive' fractures to his skull, trial told 

Bobby Ryan suffered "a minimum of four" blunt-force blows to his head and face, with multiple fractures resulting, a radiologist has told the Tipperary murder trial.

'We are going to watch you til you crack' - text from unknown person sent to Mary Lowry after Bobby Ryan disappeared 

GARDAI never discovered the identity of the person who sent a text message to Mary Lowry three months after the disappearance of Bobby Ryan.

'What the guards will know' - writing uncovered by expert on paper at Patrick Quirke's house 

Indentations on a sheet of paper found in Patrick Quirke's office revealed evidence of previously written points, including "What the guards will know" and "dispose of clothes\phone\other evidence".

'What the Guards will know' - officer gives evidence on note found at Patrick Quirke home 

INDENTATIONS on a sheet of paper found in Patrick Quirke's office found he had previously written 'what the Guards will know' and 'dispose of clothes\phone\other evidence’ on another sheet of paper.

'Mary last one to see him?' - note found in murder accused's home 

A handwritten note detailing a series of questions about the disappearance of Bobby Ryan was found in the home of Patrick Quirke, the Tipperary murder trial has heard.

'Mary last one to see him?' - handwritten note found in Patrick Quirke's office 

A HANDWRITTEN note found in the office of Patrick Quirke speculated on the naked state of Bobby Ryan's body meant "he was either murdered and the clothes taken off or that he never left the house."

Computers and devices seized from the home of love rival trial accused, court told 

Computers and electronic devices were seized from the home of Patrick Quirke in a Garda search following the discovery of Bobby Ryan's body.

'Love rival' trial: During search of his home, Patrick Quirke asked investigating gardai how Bobby Ryan had died 

COMPUTERS and electronic devices were amongst items removed from the home of Patrick Quirke by gardaí in a search of his home, following the discovery of Bobby Ryan's body.

'Love rival' trial: AI technician tells of seeing Quirke 'milking cows' on day DJ vanished 

It was a week in which the jury sat for just two days - but during which it learned the earthy, practical, background information on the day-to-day running of a farm.

'Love rival' trial: Quirke was still in his milking parlour - which was not normal, court is told 

Patrick Quirke was still in his milking parlour when an artificial insemination technician arrived at his farm on the morning Bobby Ryan went missing, which was "not normal" as he would usually be finished milking by that time, a jury has been told.

Doctor tells 'love rival' trial murder accused confided in him about affair 

A DOCTOR has told the Tipperary murder trial that Patrick Quirke privately confided in him about his affair with Mary Lowry and seemed "upset and quite hurt" when she began a relationship with another man.

Farm worker tells trial Quirke said 'Polish people involved in murder of Bobby Ryan' 

A farm labourer has told the Tipperary murder trial that Patrick Quirke told him he had heard a rumour that "Polish people were involved in the murder of Bobby Ryan".

'Love rival' trial: Murder accused told farm labourer he heard rumour 'Polish people were involved in Bobby Ryan killing' 

A FARM labourer has told the Tipperary murder trial that Pat Quirke told him he had heard a rumour that "Polish people were involved in the murder of Bobby Ryan."

'I did not kill Bobby Ryan' - what Quirke told gardaí after DJ's body found 

Tracing Patrick Quirke's movements around the time of Bobby Ryan's death, gardaí went back to the day before the disappearance of the man Mr Quirke described as a "lived-for-the-moment type of chap".

'My first instinct was the body was Bobby ... sure, who else would it be?' 

Murder accused Patrick Quirke told gardaí how he could describe the body of Bobby Ryan "graphically, every time I close my eyes".

'Love rival' trial: My only crime was having affair with Mary - accused 

Patrick Quirke told gardaí investigating the murder of DJ Bobby Ryan that his "only crime" was having an affair with Mary Lowry and that his name was "mud" in his home town.

'Love rival' trial: 'I'm always afraid of Mary Lowry, she's vicious' - Patrick Quirke told gardai 

MURDER accused Patrick Quirke told the gardaí that his "only crime" was having an affair with Mary Lowry and that his name was "destroyed" in his home town.

'Love rival' trial: Garda 'can't recall' being told about hair clip, jury told 

A garda tasked with cataloguing the exhibits found in the Bobby Ryan murder investigation has said he cannot remember whether he was told about a ladies' hair clip found in the run-off tank where the body was recovered.

Forensic tests proved no blood found in Mary Lowry's house, court told 

A forensic scientist found "no sign of an assault where large amounts of blood was spilled" in the home of Mary Lowry, the Tipperary murder trial has been told.

'Love rival' trial: further forensic testing proved no blood found at house of Mary Lowry 

FURTHER forensic testing proved that no blood was found at the house of Mary Lowry, the Tipperary murder trial has heard.

'Love rival' trial: Traces of blood on Mary Lowry's bed frame, mattress and sitting room ceiling, court told 

Crime scene examiners found traces of blood in the sitting room and bedroom of Mary Lowry’s house, the Tipperary murder trial has heard.

'Love rival' trial: traces of blood found in Mary Lowry's house by investigating gardai 

TRACES of blood were found in Mary Lowry's house by crime scene examiners, the Tipperary murder trial has heard.

'Insect infestation of Bobby Ryan's body took place at least 11 days before body found', says expert 

The emphasis shifted this week to the scientific and the expert evidence of this case.

'Love rival' trial: Bobby Ryan may have died in Mary Lowry's house, court hears 

A senior garda gave instructions for Mary Lowry's house to be checked for blood spatter, believing the naked state of Bobby Ryan's body meant it was possible he had died indoors.

'Love rival' trial: Remains of Bobby Ryan showed evidence of multiple injuries, court hears 

A DECISION was made to remove a body from a farm tank because the pathologist indicated to gardaí that he was not willing to travel to the scene, the 'love rival' trial has heard.

'Love rival' trial: Ladies' hair clip, cable ties and bone fragments found in tank with DJ's body 

A broken hair clip, cable ties, buttons and bone fragments were among a collection of items retrieved by gardaí from the tank in which the remains of Bobby Ryan were found.