This week on The Indo Daily we are looking back at some of our best investigative episodes from 2025 so far. Today’s episode was first released on February 20th 2025; 

Irish dancing may appear to be a world of dazzling costumes, intricate footwork, perfect manicured hair, but when we peel back the curtains on this glamorous sport, we come to learn it is also a community synonymous with drama. A series of allegations against a high-profile member of CLRG, Irish Dancing's governing body, saw the Irish dancing organisation being thrust into the spotlight once again. The issue though, was none of the rumours were true. So who was behind this? And why?  
Host; Tabitha Monahan, Guest; Ellen Coyne 

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An Irish Dancing scandal: Fake police reports, fraudulent emails and smear campaigns 

Every time June 3 comes around, Michelle Ryan marks the anniversary of her father’s death in her own private way. She stays away from his grave.




For Michelle, her dad simply isn’t there.




On that summer morning in 2011, 52-year-old Bobby Ryan, a quarry worker and part-time DJ known by the stage name ‘Mr Moonlight’, vanished from rural Tipperary without a trace.




Almost two years later, his body was discovered in an underground run-off tank near the farmhouse where he was last seen.




The trial that followed was one of the longest in the history of the Irish State. By its conclusion, a love rivalry would be publicly exposed, a man would be jailed, and another man long buried.

In May 2019, Patrick Quirke (then 50) was convicted of murder and sentenced to life in prison. He continues to deny any involvement in Mr Ryan’s death.




On this episode of The Indo Daily, host Tessa Fleming is joined by Irish Independent special correspondent Catherine Fegan to review the case, and by Michelle Ryan, daughter of Bobby Ryan, who speaks about the experience of losing her father and her vow to contest any potential release of his killer.




We want to earn your trust and are members of The Trust Project. You can see our ethics policies at independent.ie/ourjournalism

Every time June 3 comes around, Michelle Ryan marks&nbsp;the anniversary of her&nbsp;father’s death in&nbsp;her own private way. She&nbsp;stays away from his grave.
 
For Michelle, her&nbsp;dad&nbsp;simply isn’t&nbsp;there.
 
On that summer&nbsp;morning&nbsp;in&nbsp;2011,&nbsp;52-year-old&nbsp;Bobby Ryan, a&nbsp;quarry&nbsp;worker&nbsp;and part-time&nbsp;DJ known by the stage name ‘Mr&nbsp;Moonlight’,&nbsp;vanished from&nbsp;rural&nbsp;Tipperary&nbsp;without a trace.
 
Almost&nbsp;two&nbsp;years&nbsp;later,&nbsp;his body was discovered in an underground run-off tank near the farmhouse where he was last seen.
 
The trial that followed was one of the longest in the history of the Irish State. By its conclusion,&nbsp;a love rivalry would be publicly exposed, a&nbsp;man would be jailed, and another&nbsp;man&nbsp;long buried.
In May 2019, Patrick Quirke (then 50) was convicted of murder&nbsp;and sentenced to life in prison. He continues to deny any involvement in&nbsp;Mr&nbsp;Ryan’s death.
 
On this episode of The Indo Daily, host Tessa Fleming is joined by Irish Independent&nbsp;special correspondent Catherine Fegan&nbsp;to review the case, and by Michelle Ryan, daughter of Bobby Ryan, who speaks about the experience of losing her father and her vow to contest any potential release of his killer.
 
We want to earn your trust and are members of The Trust Project. You can see our ethics policies at <a href="https://independent.ie/ourjournalism" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="https://independent.ie/ourjournalism">independent.ie/ourjournalism</a>

“I will contest it”: Daughter of slain Mr Moonlight vows to block killer’s bid for freedom

­Former DUP leader Jeffrey Donaldson apologised to one of his alleged victims at a church retreat in the mid-1990s, a court heard today. Jurors were also told second complainant wrote letter to two defendants about the secret ‘she had to keep’ The prosecution delivered its opening address in the Donaldson trial on Wednesday. The former DUP leader is on trial at Newry Crown Court for alleged historical sexual offences. The 63 year-old has pleaded not guilty to 18 alleged offences.

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This Indo Daily Extra is brought to you by our sister podcast The BelTel where Allison Morris was in court and speaks to Ciaran Dunbar.

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We want to earn your trust and are members of the Trust Project. See our ethics policies at independent.ie/ourjournalism

­Former DUP leader Jeffrey Donaldson apologised to one of his alleged victims at a church retreat in the mid-1990s, a court heard today. Jurors were also told second complainant wrote letter to two defendants about the secret ‘she had to keep’ The prosecution delivered its opening address in the Donaldson trial on Wednesday. The former DUP leader is on trial at Newry Crown Court for alleged historical sexual offences. The 63 year-old has pleaded not guilty to 18 alleged offences.
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This Indo Daily Extra is brought to you by our sister podcast The BelTel where Allison Morris was in court and speaks to Ciaran Dunbar.
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We want to earn your trust and are members of the Trust Project. See our ethics policies at <a href="https://www.independent.ie/service/our-journalism/a/98708550.html">independent.ie/ourjournalism</a>

Extra – Jeffrey Donaldson trial: Jury hears complainant wrote to defendants over “secret” 

Tommy Fleming has for decades been a star of international acclaim. The Sligo singer has played to sold out crowds, toured with Phil Coulter, and enjoyed much of his success with his wife Tina by his side.

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Tommy called Tina the “most decent and loving” person he knew, while Tina said her relationship with him was “special and fulfilling”. But last year, the cracks in their life together started to show.

Details of their separation, of Tommy’s affairs and drug use, of his “living a lie”, have been aired in a leaked phone call recording and explosive interviews from both Tommy and Tina.

Today on The Indo Daily, Fionnán Sheahan is joined by Darragh Nolan, multimedia reporter with the Irish Independent, to look at the full story of Tommy Fleming.

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We want to earn your trust and are members of the Trust Project. See our ethics policies at independent.ie/ourjournalism

Tommy Fleming has for decades been a star of international acclaim. The Sligo singer has played to sold out crowds, toured with Phil Coulter, and enjoyed much of his success with his wife Tina by his side.
­
Tommy called Tina the “most decent and loving” person he knew, while Tina said her relationship with him was “special and fulfilling”. But last year, the cracks in their life together started to show.
Details of their separation, of Tommy’s affairs and drug use, of his “living a lie”, have been aired in a leaked phone call recording and explosive interviews from both Tommy and Tina.
Today on The Indo Daily, Fionnán Sheahan is joined by Darragh Nolan, multimedia reporter with the Irish Independent, to look at the full story of Tommy Fleming.
­
We want to earn your trust and are members of the Trust Project. See our ethics policies at <a href="https://www.independent.ie/service/our-journalism/a/98708550.html">independent.ie/ourjournalism</a>

An Irish Dancing scandal: Fake police reports, fraudulent emails and smear campaigns

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