Bogie triple homicide: New development in court case

There has been a new twist in the case against a Queensland grazier charged with allegedly shooting dead three family members on a rural property.

Maree and Merv Schwarz and Graham Tighe (top right) all died after a shooting at a Bogie property west of Mackay. Ross Tighe (bottom right) survived a gunshot wound to the stomach after undergoing emergency surgery.

A grazier charged with allegedly shooting dead three family members over a property dispute has applied to have his court case paid for or subsidised by taxpayers.

It has been 13 months since Mervin Schwarz, 70, Maree Schwarz, 59 and Maree’s son Graham Tighe, 35 were gunned down at Bogie, west of Bowen.

Neighbour Darryl Valroy Young, 60, is charged with their murders, as well as the attempted murder of Graham’s brother Ross Tighe who is alleged to be the sole survivor.

Emergency crews were called to the remote site early on August 4, 202 after reports of multiple casualties following a shooting incident.

Police allege Mr Young had invited the Schwarz family for a chat about disputes over borderline and unbranded cattle, and then shot them execution-style with a rifle at close range at the front gate of his Shannonvale property.

Darryl Valroy Young is charged with three counts of murder and one count of attempted murder.

Mr Tighe suffered a gunshot wound to the stomach and it is alleged he was able to reach a farm ute and get to a neighbouring property to raise the alarm.

Mr Young has been in custody since his arrest and appeared via video link for a brief mention in Bowen Magistrates Court on Tuesday, September 5.

He is also charged with weapons offences including possessing an unregistered category A weapon (a Breda shotgun), a restricted item (a replica weapon) and tainted property (a category A Winchester rifle).

It is alleged the weapons were found on August 5 2022, the day after the shootings, at Mr Young’s West Euri Rd, Bowen, property.

Since his arrest Mr Young’s court case, which had been handled via private solicitors, had changed legal hands three times.

The court today heard Mr Young had since lodged an application for Legal Aid Queensland for funding.

Maree and Merv Schwarz and Graham Tighe (top right) all died after a shooting at a Bogie property west of Mackay. Ross Tighe (bottom right) survived a gunshot wound to the stomach after undergoing emergency surgery.

Legal Aid Queensland offers legal help to financially disadvantaged Queenslanders across criminal, family and civil matters.

Anyone seeking legal aid must first apply for a grant and to be eligible they must meet the organisation’s financial eligibility tests. Even those approved may need to pay a contribution if a lawyer runs their case.

Mr Young, who represented himself via video link, said his initial application had been refused because more paperwork was needed.

The court heard he had a meeting with a solicitor appointed through Legal Aid to further the application.

The matter was adjourned for one week.