There were plenty of tears but not too many laughs as the current series of The Traitors Ireland reached the halfway point on Tuesday night.

After banishing two Traitors – Fionula and Páraic K on consecutive nights, The Faithfuls were going for the hat-trick.

Here’s how things played out.

***Warning: Spoilers for The Traitors Ireland episode six below***

‘It feels so good!’

When told by Traitor Carla that she could either join her or be murdered on the spot, Aoife didn’t hesitate: a cloak in the castle beat a cab back home. “I’ve always wanted to wear that cloak,” Aoife admitted, “and this is my only opportunity. I would kick myself if I let her (Carla) murder me to my face like that. I couldn’t do it.” And with that, we were off to the races. Again.

A slip-up at breakfast

Having drawn “so much heat” when she was a Faithful, Aoife said she wanted “heat for a reason now” – and unwittingly got just that the morning after her change of heart. Talking theories with David, Janet, and Kayleigh, Aoife said, “We – they – murdered Saoirse…” Kayleigh and David copped the slip of the tongue, and Aoife’s chances of surviving until the next morning took another hit. Mind you, as the day progressed, it looked like David would be giving Aoife a run for her money…

‘He needed to go. Sorry, but it was time…’

One of the best team players of the series so far, the beady-eyed (and behatted) Denis felt like the favourite to be murdered after losing out on a shield in Monday’s mission. Sure enough, Carla and Aoife agreed that he was too much of a danger to their respective paths to the final. And so, Denis was dispatched with ruthless efficiency, leaving husband Diego heartbroken and the rest of Team Faithful one sage short.

Scarecrow mission leaves David with nothing to crow about

Tuesday night’s mission, involving a shield and money hidden in scarecrows, concluded with DJ guaranteed another sound night’s sleep safe from harm and the prize pot increasing by €2,900. But really, the drama came after the mission. David asked who found the shield, thereby adding weight to the theory that he was a Traitor. Then it was back to the castle – and sad news.

Goodbye, Gráinne

After suffering an Achilles injury during the mission, Gráinne bowed out of the competition, with her fellow contestants stunned when host Siobhán McSweeney informed them of the unfortunate turn of events. There was little time to process the announcement, however, as attention turned to Aoife and David.

A perfect parting shot

It was a very heavy roundtable as the former (Aoife) and still (David) Faithful fought for their survival. The evidence against David was hardly airtight – being quiet, asking about the shield – while the case against the teary Aoife grew by the minute, sealing her fate. All told, 13 contestants voted for Aoife, including fellow Traitor Carla – just as Aoife had predicted. The Faithfuls had now pulled off a hat-trick of banishments – three roundtables out of three – but Aoife still managed to make the night her own. Before her banishment, she voted for under-the-radar Traitor Carla, and then as she made her exit, she revealed that she had only been a Traitor since last night. Did any of the Faithfuls hear her as they celebrated? We shall see… And while they were quick to reassure Carla, that could all change by Sunday. Kudos, Aoife!

Carla’s next move

With David newly installed as prime suspect, sole Traitor Carla reckoned she had fooled the Faithfuls again. So, what better time to revise the game plan and try to recruit once again via blackmail? “I know I need to blackmail somebody that’s strong, somebody that won’t turn their back on me, and somebody I think can definitely get all the way to the final,” she told us. Carla then revealed that she would blackmail a man – but that’s all we know, as the credits rolled with the letter left for the chosen one on the seat. The gut says Pete. Do you agree?

The Traitors Ireland continues on RTÉ One and RTÉ Player on Sunday at 9.30pm.