A young Irish woman was savagely stabbed to death by her former Dutch lover, who a fortnight earlier had sent her 27 red roses for her birthday, a murder trial was told yesterday.
Charged with two counts of murder and manslaughter, Mr Jos Van der Ven (31), allegedly attacked a Co Tipperary woman, Roma Lonergan (27), at her home in the village of Geervliet, near Rotterdam in June 2000.
Ms Lonergan, who worked in a local supermarket, grew up in Cahir, Co Tipperary, before moving to the Netherlands with her mother, Mary, and younger sisters, Avril and Sophia.
Hundreds of shocked Dutch mourners had joined the Lonergan family and relatives from Ireland at her funeral, including her uncle, Tipperary Labour Party activist, Mr Seanie Lonergan.
For days after her disappearance the family searched for Roma after the discovery of bloodstains and signs of a violent struggle in her bathroom.
The trial yesterday was told Mr Van der Ven, distraught that Roma wanted no further contact with him, flew into a jealous frenzy and stabbed her with a pen knife.
A fortnight earlier he had sent his former girlfriend 27 red roses for her birthday. Although their seven-year relationship had ended a year earlier, Ms Lonergan felt sorry for him and continued to accept his phone calls and see him occasionally, the court was told.
According to psychiatric reports, the Dutch man, who had violent tendencies and had difficulty establishing relationships, was obsessed with Ms Lonergan, the only person he trusted.
In court, Mr van der Ven told judges: "I will never forgive myself for what I have done". His lawyer said it was not a premeditated killing and he had loved his victim.
Judges will deliver their verdict on November 29th.