Prime suspect in slurry tank murder is arrested again
THE prime suspect for the murder of Bobby Ryan, whose body was found at the bottom of a disused slurry tank, has been arrested for a second time by investigating gardaí.
Senior officers now plan to complete a file for the Director of Public Prosecutions, who will determine if criminal charges should be brought.
The arrest was carried out yesterday after gardaí uncovered new evidence in their long-running inquiries.
This followed a detailed examination of a computer, which had been seized from the suspect earlier in the investigation.
Detectives said other items had also emerged, which opened up new lines of inquiry.
The suspect was detained by officers at his home in the Tipperary town area yesterday morning and taken for questioning to the local garda station. He was held under section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act and his period of detention was extended yesterday evening.
Mr Ryan (52) had been classified as a missing person for almost two years before his body was discovered on April 30, 2013.
Detectives arrested the prime suspect initially last June but the man was released without charge after questioning.
A woman was also arrested and questioned about allegedly withholding information. She was also released.
Officers say they continue to make progress with their inquiries and are now in the final phase of the investigation.
John Ryan, brother of Bobby, said the family is still campaigning for justice for the murdered man.
“Bobby was known the length and breadth of Tipperary from his work driving the lorry and working as a DJ. He was a loveable rogue,” John said.
His remains were found in a slurry tank two years ago by well known farmer Pat Quirke.
Mr Quirke is the former brother-in-law of Bobby Ryan’s partner, Mary Lowry, and was renting lands from her when he found the remains.
John Ryan appealed to anyone with information to contact the gardaí.
“Somebody knows something. Bobby didn’t jump into the tank of his own free will and put a slab on top of himself.
“Somebody out there knows what happened to him and it is time for our family’s pain to end.”