Ruth Lawrence, who did not give evidence in the trial and was never interviewed by gardaí, fled to South Africa in the aftermath of the murders and was extradited back to Ireland in May 2023.

The trial heard evidence that Lawrence had asked about taking a boat out on Lough Sheelin - where the deceased's bodies were eventually found - the day before the men were last seen alive.

Ruth Lawrence (46), who is originally from Clontarf in Dublin but with an address at Patricks Cottage, Ross, Mountnugent in Co Meath has pleaded not guilty to murdering Anthony Keegan (33) and Eoin O'Connor (32).