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'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.

'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".

'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."

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.

'I believed he had been murdered or assaulted before dying where he lay' 

A senior garda who attended the scene after the discovery of a body on a farm has told how he looked into a tank and believed the remains he saw were those of Bobby Ryan.

'Love Rival' trial: 'Tank was opened at least 11 days before body found' 

The sealed tank in which the remains of Bobby Ryan lay was opened "at least 11 days" before the alleged discovery of his body, an expert witness has told the murder trial.

'Love rival' trial: Garda who found body of Bobby Ryan believed 'he had been murdered or seriously assaulted and died in tank' 

A SENIOR garda who attended the scene after the discovery of a body in an agricultural tank has told how he looked into the tank and believed it was Bobby Ryan.

Garda found 'very heavily decomposed' remains in tank during farm search for DJ 

Murder accused Patrick Quirke told a garda sent to supervise the emptying of slurry tanks in the search for Bobby Ryan that there were just two tanks on the farm.

Nicola Anderson: 'For the first time in the love rival trial, we heard the voice of murder accused Patrick Quirke' 

Up until this week, it had been a case of setting the scene. We learnt of the landscape, of the events as they had transpired, and the narratives of key witnesses.

Recovering body from 'murky and dirty' tank was 'complicated' by the tight space - fire officers 

Fire officers have told how the removal of the remains of Bobby Ryan from an underground tank was a "complicated" operation because of the tight confines of the space.

'Love rival' trial: Mary had 'couldn't care less' attitude to Ryan - accused 

Murder accused Patrick Quirke claimed Mary Lowry had a "couldn't-care-less attitude" about the disappearance of her boyfriend, Bobby Ryan, and he thought it "strange" she "found the van so quick".

'Love rival' trial: Mary Lowry had 'couldn't care less attitude' after disappearance of boyfriend, accused told gardaí 

Murder accused Patrick Quirke told gardaí he found it "intriguing" that Mary Lowry had a "couldn't-care-less attitude" after the disappearance of her boyfriend, Bobby Ryan.

'His hands and clothes were very clean for a farmer taking slurry out of a tank' 

Pat Quirke's hands and clothes were "extremely clean" for a farmer who had been working with slurry that morning, the first garda at the scene noted.

'Break-up not amicable' - Quirke was 'angry' with Mary Lowry 

Murder accused Pat Quirke told gardaí that he "never had a cross word" with DJ Bobby Ryan, whose body was subsequently found in a tank on the farm leased by Mr Quirke.

Garda says interest in 'love rival' murder trial 'huge' in local area 

A garda has told the 'love rival' trial that there has been 'huge' talk around Tipperary about the case.

Garda saw 'ten to 15' bales of silage at location where Bobby Ryan's body was found - 'love rival' trial hears 

A GARDA has told a murder trial how he recalled seeing "ten to 15" round bales of silage at the location of the tank where the remains of Bobby Ryan were subsequently found.

Garda search team found nothing on land where Bobby Ryan last seen, 'love rival' trial hears 

Landowner Mary Lowry gave "full permission" to gardaí to search her farm after the disappearance of her partner, DJ Bobby Ryan, a murder trial has heard.

'Mr Moonlight' was a brilliant father with a real zest for life, murder trial told 

For much of this trial, the focus has been fixed firmly on key witness Mary Lowry, her testimony and her relationships.

Mary was 'hysterical', searcher tells love-rival murder trial 

A woman involved with an organisation that assists in searches for missing persons has told how Mary Lowry was "severely distressed" and "hysterical" as she told of her previous relationship with murder-accused Patrick Quirke.

'Love rival' trial: Mary Lowry was 'severely distressed' when she contacted missing persons group, court hears 

A witness told how he noticed a van with the word 'Moonlight' on it parked in a wooded area on the morning of DJ Bobby Ryan's disappearance.

Love rival murder trial: Ex-partner of Mr Moonlight takes stand 

The former partner of a man whose body was found in a farmyard tank two years after he disappeared has told how she was invited to go on a trip with him and his partner, Mary Lowry, on the weekend before he went missing.

'I didn't like spending time with accused Quirke,' Lowry son tells 'love rival' trial 

The son of murder trial witness Mary Lowry has told how he "did not like spending time" with accused man Patrick Quirke.

Murder accused Pat Quirke 'knew of existence of tank where body was found' - 'love rival' trial hears 

Murder accused Pat Quirke knew of the existence of the agricultural tank where the body of Bobby Ryan was found, two years after his disappearance, the court has heard.

Give Mary Lowry her P45, daughter told Bobby Ryan before he vanished 

The daughter of a man whose body was found in a farmyard tank two years after his disappearance has told how she advised her father to "P45" his partner, Mary Lowry.

'One of a kind' - sister and brother recall memories of 'brilliant' dad at 'love rival' trial 

"He was Mr Moonlight and I was Shelley Moonlight," his daughter told the trial.

'Love rival' trial: Victim's daughter thought her father had split with Mary Lowry days before he died 

THE son of a man whose body was recovered in a farmyard tank two years after his disappearance, has told how he felt that the landowner seemed to want him "out of the yard as quick as she could get him out".

'We did not rekindle our affair' - Mary Lowry tells love-rival murder trial of relationship 

A murder trial witness whose boyfriend went missing after leaving her house has said she felt as though people were saying she had something to do with his disappearance.

'Love rival' trial': 'We did not rekindle our affair', widow tells court accused 'scared' her 

A murder trial witness whose boyfriend went missing after leaving her house has said she felt as though people were saying she had something to do with his disappearance.

Mary Lowry's four days on the witness stand in the love rival murder trial: 'I have bared my soul here' 

For four days on the witness stand, Mary Lowry "bared" her soul.

'Love rival' trial: Witness complained about 'missing' posters outside her home 

A WITNESS in the Tipperary murder trial rang complaining about 'Missing' posters that had been erected outside her home on the anniversary of Bobby Ryan's disappearance.

On the stand: Witness and defence counsel engage in robust exchanges 

A series of robust exchanges marked Mary Lowry's third day in the witness box.

'Love rival' trial: 'I have bared my soul. I have told everything in my life, some I'm ashamed of' 

A murder trial witness has told of a "secret" conversation on the day her partner disappeared in which she asked his son whether he had "searched the lakes" for his father.

'Love rival' trial: Woman says vehicle of missing partner was located after she 'subconsciously' thought of woodland 

A woman has told a murder trial how the vehicle of her partner Bobby Ryan was located after she "subconsciously thought of a wood and kept driving."

Widow claims farmer accused of murder 'took my underwear' 

A woman has told a murder trial she confronted the farmer who was leasing her land and accused him of taking her underwear from her clothes line.

'Love rival' trial: Widow claims murder accused 'took her underwear from the clothes line' 

A WOMAN has told a murder trial that she confronted the man who was leasing her farm and accused him of taking her underwear from the clothes line.

Woman tells of having affair with accused when she was 'vulnerable' 

Called to the stand, Mary Lowry took the oath. She was dressed smartly in a striped top embellished with pink flowers along the hem and sleeves, navy jeans and a short navy woollen jacket, and she wore her hair in a short bob.

'Love rival' trial: widow was 'mad about' deceased Bobby Ryan 

A woman has told a murder trial how a man with whom she'd had a relationship was "very angry" and seemed to become "very down" when she broke it off with him and began to see the deceased Bobby Ryan.

Murder trial jury visits farm where body of accused's 'love rival' found 

The judge suggested that the jury of six women and six men wear Wellington boots, as they planned their trip to the farm to view the relevant buildings and surrounding land.

'Love rival' murder trial: Curious collection of objects shown to court looked more like set of archaeological artifacts 

The photographs shown to the jury displayed an unremarkable and rather familiar scene. It was that of an ordinary, tidy-looking farmyard in the Tipperary countryside, no different to countless similar farms around the country.

The Dáil at 100: 'Our mission continues - to build a republic of liberty for all' 

A photograph shows the 27 newly elected TDs - watchful, wary, like coiled springs - knowing their battle was only beginning.

Nicola Anderson: 'Harrowing details of fire at halting site prove too much for heartbroken families' 

As they came to the point of identification, coroner Dr Myra Cullinane gently told the families seated in front of her the evidence would be very difficult.

Steel lining in mobile home 'acted like oven' during blaze, expert tells inquest 

A fire safety expert has told the inquest into the tragic Carrickmines halting site blaze that the mobile home that became rapidly engulfed in flames was a modified security hut with a steel lining that acted "like an oven".

Portacabin with steel lining acted 'like an oven' in Carrickmines fire that claimed 10 lives - inquest 

THE portacabin which rapidly became engulfed in flames in the Carrickmines halting site blaze was a modified security hut with a steel lining that acted "like an oven," a fire expert has told the Dublin City Coroner's Court.

DNA used to identify victims as inferno ripped though halting site 'in 15 minutes' 

DNA was the chief method used to identify the victims of the tragic Carrickmines halting site blaze, which reached 'intense heat' levels of up to 650C.

Fireman recalls rescuing baby with 'no signs of life' from tragic Carrickmines blaze 

TRAGIC baby Mary Connors showed no signs of life when she was pulled from a blazing portacabin in the Carrickmines halting site fire.

Fans of Dolores O'Riordan listen to new single 'All Over Now' at Limerick memorial on first anniversary 

AS the soaringly sweet sound of Dolores O’Riordan’s voice filled the air, her loyal fans bowed their heads and listened. It was their first time hearing the new Cranberries single, All Over Now – and for some it was ‘a bit eerie’.

The 'living nightmare' of the 'North Cork triangle' 

It became known as the 'North Cork Triangle' because the two cases had followed a remarkably similar pattern.

Bryan Dobson proves more than a match for Boris Johnson's slippery schtick at Pendulum Summit 

Paddy Ashdown was the last British politician rated by John Cleese as "one of the good guys".

Actor John Cleese reveals he's quit UK and is now living in the Caribbean 

Actor John Cleese has revealed that he quit the UK in November and is now living in the Caribbean where life is ‘safe and beautiful.’

Best thing about finding fame is that you learn it's not going to bring you happiness - Farrell 

The only good thing about achieving fame is "that you get to strike it off your list of things" you thought might bring you happiness, Colin Farrell has said.

Heroic Irish diver who took part in Thai cave rescue opens up about the emotional aftermath 

It took around six months after the traumatic rescue of the children from a cave in Thailand for emotions to catch up with Jim Warny, he admitted today.

Johnny better than Goode: actor dazzles on opening night 

At 4am that morning, Jennifer Zamparelli's 11-month-old baby was sticking his fingers up her nose - but you'd never have guessed it by the glamour as she took to the stage.

In pictures: Glitzy, glamorous and pretty darn fabulous - Dancing with the Stars returns 

THEY didn’t call it a Nollaig na mBan extravaganza but that’s exactly what it was as Dancing with the Stars returned to our screens – with the women hitting the dance floor in a show of girl power.

December was warm - but we had little in the way of sunshine 

All parts of the country saw warmer-than-average temperatures in the month of December - but there was also a dearth of sunshine, with the weather duller than average.

Wright Venue closes as the mood music changes for city nightclubs 

When it opened, they promised it would be the "ultimate night-time experience", modelled on the best nightclubs across the globe.

New Viking invasion: Ikea rival Jysk to open 15 stores in Ireland 

If you love Ikea - there's a new Viking invasion coming.

Pink gin just the tonic for drinks firms 

For the Instagram brigade, it's the perfect clinking glass of rose-hued seduction.

Hospital admissions to rise over coming weeks due to late arrival of flu season, HSE warns 

RISING flu levels will impact on the number of Emergency Department attendances and admissions over the coming weeks, the HSE has warned.

Irish rugby on top of the world after year of triumph 

The agony and the ecstasy - it's a tame way of putting it when it comes to describing what sports fans went through in 2018.

How Vicky inspired us all with her campaign over cancer 

The year began with a startling blast from the past - with news that gardaí were reopening the Kerry Babies case, after 34 years of virtual silence.

Nicola Anderson: 'Brexit and Repeal will put 2018 firmly in the history books' 

When historians write about 2018, said the Taoiseach, the repeal of the Eighth Amendment will be the "most momentous event of the year".

Nicola Anderson in Strokestown: 'Emotions run high as eviction stirs up ghosts of an ugly past' 

The town of Strokestown is subdued coming up to the shortest day of the year.

Ferry axing will mean stormy seas ahead, warn Rosslare locals 

In terms of company public relations - not to mention community good relationships - it all but verged on the callous.

Former Workers' Party leader Garland was 'a flesh and blood, social being', mourners at funeral told 

Former Workers' Party president Sean Garland was not the "man of steel" he was often believed to be but a "flesh and blood, social being", mourners at his funeral heard.

Sean Garland 'not the man of steel he was believed to be', mourners told at funeral 

FORMER Workers’ Party President Sean Garland was not the ‘man of steel’ he was often believed to be but a ‘flesh and blood, social being’, mourners at his funeral have heard.

Breakfast rolls aplenty but punters in short supply at early-morning dog racing 

Chilling early-morning fog curls low on the ground and an appetising aroma of rashers and sausages hangs even more heavily in the air.

Ireland's first ever early morning greyhound meeting took place today and here's what happened 

Straight out of the traps with breakfast on the run - it’s the new way of doing things in the world of greyhound racing.

Return of cranes to cities and scorcher of a summer see rat numbers explode 

Extreme weather and the rising number of cranes on our city horizons has sparked the unpleasant scurry of little feet - with a dramatic surge in rat populations across the country.

Live Storm Diana: ESB working to restore power to customers as weather warnings lifted 

ESB Network crews are working to restore power to homes, farms and businesses as Storm Diana lashed across Ireland.

Boom time for rats as hot summer and increased construction drives jump in rodent population 

Extreme weather and the rising number of cranes on our city horizons has sparked the unpleasant scurry of little feet – with a dramatic surge in rat populations across the country.

Nicola Anderson: 'Judge's call for the 'cruel gaze of the public' to be averted from rape trials' 

A rape trial was under way at the Courts of Criminal Justice in Dublin. In the court were judge, jury, both legal teams, a stenographer, a court usher, the defendant and a lone woman who was supporting him. On the stand, was a taxi driver giving evidence.

'Can I go?' - Duffy left in disbelief after verdict finally read aloud 

Still standing, Des Duffy took off his glasses and, with a shaking hand, slowly dabbed his eyes with a crumpled tissue.

'Imposing the shame of homelessness on older children is cruel' 

The founder of Focus Ireland says older children who are homeless feel shame and embarrassment about their situation.

'Tragic case' of gay couple hinges on claims of abuse 

The case of a pensioner accused of murdering his partner is about the "fundamental human right" of a person to "defend themselves from attack", his counsel has told a jury.

'I lost partner of 36 years, I'll never get over it,' says murder accused in trial 

Des Duffy, accused of murdering his partner Des Sullivan, yesterday told the court he was not there to "blacken" the name of the man he described as his "life partner".

How Gate's director Selina Cartmell set the stage for a theatre sea-change 

Sitting shoulder to shoulder in the dark with strangers, as you listen to stories. With your mobile phone turned off.

Pomp, ceremony and laughter as Michael D takes office for second stint in the Áras 

It is together that we shall go forward, he said. Together into "a future of equality, participation, inclusion, imagination, creativity, and sustainability".

Nicola Anderson: 'Woman's choice of underwear is never difference between rape and consent' 

Since when does your choice of underwear determine whether you were raped or if you actually consented to sex?

'There is a cold place in my heart after the barbaric treatment of our wonderful son' 

'The worst part of all was being told our son was a torso in a suitcase," Gerry O'Brien said in his victim impact statement.

Nicola Anderson: Statesmanlike words of Higgins are a tough act for Casey to follow 

After Michael D Higgins's noble and generous speech, Peter Casey had to deliver one of his own - and with a grimace, he acknowledged his misfortune.

'Government must be prepared for legal challenge to the removal of blasphemy from the Constitution' - Varadkar 

THE Taoiseach has warned that the Government must be prepared for the possibility of a legal challenge to the removal of blasphemy from the Constitution – but said he hopes to have the primary legislation in place to remove the Constitutional reference by the summer recess.

'If I was successful I would invite all the Travelling community to move into Phoenix Park' - Peter Casey 

Peter Casey has claimed that he has a "total respect" for the Travelling community and that if he had been successful he would have invited "all the of them to move into the Phoenix Park.”

Turnout low as voting closes in Presidential Election and blasphemy referendum 

Turnout was reported to be low in many areas of the country as voters took to the polls in the Presidential Election and the blasphemy referendum.

Hopefuls hit the streets for one last push before the polls open 

How to spend the last day of this monumentally bizarre presidential campaign?

Democracy has been served - it's a different story for the country 

How many personalities can you fit in one small TV studio?

Final presidential election debate: An exhausting shambles – but at least there was some real entertainment 

ONWARDS we go, limping towards the finish line with blisters on our heels and scars on our very souls.