Silence and tears replace laughter in public gallery

It was a rare moment as John McAreavey allowed the flicker of a smile to lighten his face.

He had just spoken of his love for the woman who “completed” his life and had started showing snapshots of his sweetheart to the jury.

It came to one of Michaela on board a plane as the couple jetted off on their trip of a lifetime. She had her mobile phone to her ear, pretending to make a call, with a broad grin across her face.