The trial of Riad Bouchaker (52) also heard that when gardaí opened a rucksack found at the scene of the stabbing, they found packaging for a 24cm carving knife.

Newry Crown Court also heard about a message sent by Jeffrey Donaldson to a church minister who had been providing pastoral support to the couple stating he just wanted to “find a way to say how sorry I am”.

Aaron Brady's counsel raised concerns over the manner in which a key witness gave evidence from New York during the initial trial due to the outbreak of Covid-19