The last days of journalist Ms Bettina Poeschel were recalled by an old school friend before a jury at the Central Criminal Court yesterday.
Mr Holger Norbert Sirtl told the jury he was an old school friend of Ms Poeschel who had been living and working with an IT company in Dublin in 2001.
Mr Sirtl was giving evidence at the trial of Mr Michael Murphy, of Rathmullen Park, Drogheda, Co Louth. He denies the murder of Ms Poeschel (28) at Donore, Co Meath, between September 25th and October 17th, 2001.
Mr Sirtl said Ms Poeschel arrived in Dublin on Friday, September 21st. They had dinner together, and spent the weekend sight-seeing in Dublin, Killiney and Bray. On the following Monday while Mr Sirtl was at work, Ms Poeschel took a bus to Glendalough alone, and returned to his apartment that evening.
The following morning, Tuesday, September 25th, Mr Sirtl got up early for work and spoke to Ms Poeschel for the last time. "She told me that she wanted to go to Newgrange, that she was going to take the train and walk the 10km from the train station."
Mr Sirtl said he became alarmed when Ms Poeschel didn't return from her trip that evening. "I sent her a text saying I would be late because of a meeting but got no reply."
He tried to phone her at 10-15 minute intervals after his meeting ended at 8 p.m., but got no reply. At 11.30 p.m. he went to bed, but didn't sleep much. "No, I was worried."
When Ms Poeschel had still not returned the following morning, Mr Sirtl rang her home in Munich. "Before I left the apartment I spoke to her father and her sister."
He confirmed that the woman seen in video footage at Connolly station was his friend waiting for the Belfast train.
The victim's sister, Ms Cornelia Poeschel, also testified yesterday. She and Mr Sirtl arrived in Dublin on Tuesday, and are due to return to Munich today.
She agreed with Mr Denis Vaughan Buckley SC, prosecuting, that Bettina was a very friendly girl who travelled Europe a lot. She said it was out of character for her not to keep in touch.
Dr Harpal Singh Gujral said he pronounced Ms Poeschel dead at the scene on October 17th. Her remains were in the "advanced stages of decomposition", and her head "was completely detached from the body".
The trial continues today.