Alexander Pacteau sentencing: Swift justice a stark contrast to agonising search

In the end, it took just 20 minutes to hand down the mandatory life sentence.

The swiftness with which the sentence was imposed yesterday in Glasgow High Court on Alexander Pacteau stood in stark contrast to the agonising wait that Karen Buckley’s parents endured last April as appeals were issued for the public’s help in tracing her, while police searched frantically.

John and Marian Buckley, from Mourneabbey in North Cork, made the difficult journey to Glasgow again on Monday to finally see justice done.