The incident took place at around 10.50pm off Main Street in Duleek.

The chief executive of Bus Éireann, Jean O’Sullivan, said the entire company is “devastated by this tragic incident”.

Daniel Blanaru (37), who denies murdering Larisa Serban (26) in Rathmore, Athboy, Co Meath, also told gardaí during his initial interview: “I don’t care that I’m going to be in for 100 years” before adding: “If she’s not here then I cannot live anymore”