Gruelling day of dramatics as darkness descends

It was one of the few times spaces appeared on the usually packed wooden benches at the back of Courtroom 5.

It was certainly the only occasion darkness had fallen on the other side of the high windows.

There have been many gruelling sessions in the past six weeks of the Michaela McAreavey murder trial, but none have run anywhere near as long as day 25. Some wondered if it would ever end.