Get all your news in one place.
100’s of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
ABC News
ABC News
National
Melissa Mackay

Paddy Moriarty's Larrimah disappearance back in the spotlight as inquest recommences April 6

Paddy Moriarty was last seen riding his quad bike away from his usual drinking hole. (News Video)

The Northern Territory Coroner will re-open the inquest into the mysterious disappearance of Patrick "Paddy" Moriarty in the outback town of Larrimah, 500 kilometres south-east of Darwin.

Mr Moriarty, 70, and his cattle dog Kellie went missing just before Christmas in 2017.

The tiny outback town of Larrimah at the time of Mr Moriarty's disappearance was home to just 12 people.

Mr Moriarty's disappearance sparked a widespread police investigation and part-heard coronial inquest in June 2018.

The ABC understands the final part of the coronial inquest, set for two to three days from April 6, will examine police investigations since the time of the last inquest almost four years ago.

The coroner will call witnesses to the Katherine Local Court to give evidence.

Police last year offered a $250,000 reward for information about Mr Moriarty's disappearance, believing the outback Irishman had been murdered.

The coroner will call witnesses to the Katherine Local Court to give evidence. (ABC News: Michael Franchi)

Witnesses told the coronial inquest in 2018 Mr Moriarty was a "happy-go-lucky" man embroiled in a deep feud with a neighbour.

The inquest heard the owner of a local Larrimah pie shop had threatened to kill him.

Mr Moriarty's car and quad bike were left behind when he disappeared, and food had been left out.

Mr Moriarty and his dog Kellie went missing at the end of 2017. (Supplied)

The mysterious circumstances of the disappearance sparked intense media coverage, with a podcast, ABC web series and book published in the years since.

"Someone out there knows what happened," said Detective Sergeant Matthew Allen in 2021.

"We want them to come forward and help us solve a murder.

"You may be eligible for immunity from prosecution."

Mr Allen said in a pre-recorded video in 2021 some persons of interest were "stronger" than others.

The inquest will return on April 6 in Katherine.

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100’s of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.