Canoe Sons: 'Life Has Been A Lie'

Speaking to The Mail on Sunday, Mark, 32 and Anthony, 29, admit they might never come to terms with what happened - and said it is as if both parents are now dead.

They also reveal that Anne had attempted to apologise in a short letter written from her prison cell last December.

"I hope that one day you will find it in your heart to forgive me and Dad," she said, signing it 'Mam'.

Both men rejected her appeal, describing her as "a consummate actress".