The case against murder accused Patrick Quirke was described as “forensically barren” as lawyers urged jurors to use their common sense.
The defendant, 52, denies killing love rival Bobby Ryan and dumping his body in a tank almost eight years ago.
In his closing speech to the jury, prosecutor Michael Bowman insisted when they look at the evidence they will be compelled to find Quirke guilty.
The accused, from Breanshamore, Co Tipperary, denies the murder of the part-time DJ known as Mr Moonlight.
Mr Ryan, 52, went missing on June 3, 2011, after leaving his girlfriend Mary Lowry’s home at about 6.30am.
His body was found in April 2013 in an underground run-off tank on the Fawnagown farm owned by Ms Lowry and leased by the accused. Prosecutors said Quirke killed Mr Ryan so he could rekindle an affair with Ms Lowry, 52.
Mr Bowman told the jury the case against the defendant is based on circumstantial evidence, adding there is no weapon, location or time of death.
He said the prosecution “prays in aid” the pathology, extraordinary circumstances and the jury’s common sense.
Mr Bowman added the human mind, can take only so much coincidence before shaking its head and saying: “That’s not coincidence, that’s planned.”
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The lawyer said murder was not Quirke’s first attempt to sabotage the relationship between Mr Ryan and Ms Lowry. The Central Criminal Court heard the initial bid was when he took Ms Lowry’s phone and texted the deceased to say, “I’m the man”.
It was claimed in a follow-up call Quirke told Mr Ryan he was in a relationship with Mary and he was “being played for a fool”.
Mr Bowman said the second attempt at sabotage came when the accused reported Ms Lowry to Tusla, claiming she was neglecting her children because of her new relationship.
It was alleged the ploy aimed to force the mum to choose between Mr Ryan and her youngsters.
When that attempt failed, Mr Bowman said Quirke knew she did not want to continue the “seedy” relationship with him as the accused admitted in a letter to an agony aunt.
He wrote he was “heartbroken and angry” while Mr Bowman claimed he was still in love with his Ms Lowry.
The prosecutor will continue his closing speech tomorrow before Justice Eileen Creedon.
