Two high-profile convicted killers launch separate bids for freedom

The Government is appealing a High Court ruling from last year which, if upheld, could see Graham Dwyer walk despite being convicted of the murder of Elaine O’Hara in 2012.

Graham Dwyer was convicted of the murder of 36 -year old Elaine O’Hara in March 2015.

O’Hara was last seen at a cemetery in Shankill, Co Dublin on August 22, 2012, when she was visiting her mother’s grave. Her remains were recovered in the Dublin mountains on September 13, 2013.

Last year the High Court found that state legislation was in breach of EU law in regards the storage and retention of mobile phone data, the type of evidence which played a vital role in the prosecution of Dwyer.

The High Court ruled the way in which the State used the data contravened the European Convention on Human Rights. The state immediately appealed that decision and this morning that appeal began in the Supreme Court.

According to reports, Graham Dwyer is holding off launching an appeal against his conviction pending the outcome of this hearing in the Supreme Court.

Meanwhile, in a second high-profile murder case, Patrick Quirke, who earlier this year was convicted of the murder of Bobby Ryan (the part-time DJ Mr Moonlight), has been given a date to appeal his conviction.

Mr Ryan went missing on June 3, 2011 from Fawnagown, near Tipperary Town. His body was found in an underground tank on a farm Mr Quirke was leasing in that same area nearly two years later in April 2013.

Mr Quirke’s appeal will be heard on October 13, 2020. It is expected to last four days.

Solicitors for Mr Quirke argue there are too many inconsistencies in evidence given during the trial.