Forensic experts exhume murder victim

THE body of Rachel O’Reilly, the mother of two who was murdered at her home last year, was exhumed yesterday on foot of a fresh lead uncovered in the past seven days.

Detectives investigating the murder of the 30-year-old accompanied by forensic specialists spent two hours at Balgriffin Cemetery early yesterday morning. They took away several items.

Gardaí are hopeful the exhumation will lead investigators to make a significant breakthrough, although sources close to the investigation said they cannot reveal details for operational reasons. It is understood the exhumation, which needed ministerial approval, was carried out after detectives were made aware of a fresh lead in the past week. A forensic pathologist was not present for the exhumation.