In the overcrowded courtroom of the Central Criminal Court, the brothers of murder victim Mary Whelan delivered their victim impact statements.
Gerard Gough said his sister was the only girl in his family and was the second-youngest. "Our sister was brutally murdered," he told the court.
"Mary was the heart of our family, especially since out father died in 1989. She lifted our spirits at that time. She was very good to our mother and was a sister that my mother never had; they confided in each other. And for my mother, this is a double loss. She has lost her friend, sister and daughter.
"Mary's birthday is at Christmas, and she really loved Christmas. It was a great family celebration when she brought everyone together. Since her death, I can't stand Christmas. She was the life and spirit of Christmas, and now it means nothing to me. It's just a reminder of our family's loss, and we'll never get over it.
"Our family is living a life sentence since her murder, and we'll always have to live with it. We won't get off for good behaviour. Mary is gone for ever and we can't run away. Mary won't be coming back", Mr Gough told the court.
David Gough said: "We all love Mary very, very, very much" and "My mother had great dreams for Mary's future. Mary was a beautiful girl, funny, intelligent, easygoing and straight-talking. These qualities we miss so much and will miss for the rest of our lives."
Directly addressing Colin Whelan, who failed to meet his gaze, David Gough said: "On March 1st, 2001, you, Colin Whelan, strangled Mary and for that we'll never, ever, ever forgive you. You caused devastation to our family when you brutally strangled Mary and you took a piece of us too.
"Then you fled the country, which shows you for the coward you are. You tried to rob us of justice. You thought you were above the law, but you are not. Justice has finally been done here today.
"Mary's only crime was loving you too much."