Forensic experts did not find Patrick Quirke’s fingerprints inside his alleged murder victim’s van, a court heard on Monday.
Officers examined Bobby Ryan’s vehicle after he went missing but there was no evidence linking the defendant.
Quirke, 50, from Breanshamore, Co Tipperary has pleaded not guilty to murdering the 52-year-old, a part-time DJ known as Mr Moonlight.
The deceased vanished on June 3, 2011, after leaving his girlfriend Mary Lowry’s home at about 6.30am.
His body was found almost two years later in an underground run-off tank on the farm owned by Ms Lowry and leased by the accused at Fawnagown.
The prosecution has claimed Quirke murdered Mr Ryan so he could rekindle an affair with Ms Lowry, 52.
Mary Lowry visited a psychic in bid to help find boyfriend Bobby Ryan, court hears
Det Garda Fiona Maguire told the Central Criminal Court she tested a diary and driver’s licence taken from the van when he went missing in 2011.
She found five marks on the journal and two palm marks on the licence.
Four of the prints on the diary belonged to the deceased’s daughter Michelle but she was not able to identify the other.
Det Garda Ernie Fraser said in 2012 he took fingerprints from an aftershave bottle found in Mr Ryan’s van and the driver’s door but they did not match Quirke’s.
Garda Fiona Conneely told the prosecution she interviewed Ms Lowry’s children, who were aged nine, 11 and 15 in July 2013.
She revealed the mother became upset when she learned he would not be allowed into the meeting.
Bobby Ryan died of blunt force trauma that caused bleeding to the brain, court told
The court heard the procedure with children under the age of 14 is to speak to them to build rapport.
If anything of value to the inquiry arises during the discussion their statements are then recorded.
Nothing emerged from the chats with the two youngest children but Gda Conneely and her colleague did take a statement from Tommy, the eldest boy.
The witness agreed with a defence lawyer she told colleagues in 2013 that Ms Lowry was “angry” when she could not sit with her children.
Gda Conneely said in hindsight she thinks she used the wrong word as Ms Lowry had not been shouting.
The officer confirmed Tommy told her he knew of the tank where Mr Ryan’s body was found but didn’t know what it was used for or its size.
He also revealed his mother taught him to drive and the deceased bought a “field car” or “banger” that he used on the farm.
Tommy was also asked how his mother got on with Mr Ryan and when he became aware his mother was in a relationship.
Garda Sharon Maloney told a lawyer she was also present for the interviews.
She said Ms Lowry welcomed her and Gda Conneely but there was an issue when they told her she could not be present for the interviews.
She described her as being “a little bit upset”, “put out” and “flustered”.
Gda Maloney agreed a report to investigators stated Ms Lowry was “angry” but said with “hindsight” she felt that word was a bit strong as the mother had not raised her voice.
Justice Eileen Creedon told the jury they will not be required again until Wednesday.
