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.

Ms O’Reilly was beaten to death at her home in Naul, north Co Dublin, in early October. Her killer used a blunt object, which has not yet been recovered by gardaí, a situation that appears to have hampered the investigation.

Forensic specialists, detectives from Balbriggan Garda station and the National Bureau of Criminal investigation, went to the cemetery just before 6.30am and examined the body on site.

A garda spokesman said: “As part of the ongoing investigation into the murder of Rachel O’Reilly, gardaí this morning carried out an exhumation of her body.”

The inquest into her death, attended by Ms O’Reilly’s parents Rose and Jim Callely, was opened and adjourned yesterday at Tallaght District Court. State Pathologist Dr Marie Cassidy said Ms O’Reilly suffered a fracture to her skull and damage to her brain as a result of blunt force trauma to her head.

Ms Callely told the inquest she identified the body of her daughter in an un-named morgue. She was accompanied to the morgue by Ms O’Reilly’s husband Joe and his brother Derek.

Ms Callely said the last time she saw her daughter was on September 29, five days before she was found murdered.

Mr O’Reilly, who has refused to comment on the latest developments, did not attend the inquest though his brother was briefly in court. Three people - Mr O’Reilly and two associates - have been arrested and released without charge.

Coroner Dr Kieran Geraghty adjourned the inquest until September 13.

Following the adjourned inquest, Ms O’Reilly’s father Jimmy said he would love to see a conclusion.

“If anyone with information can jog their memory, the police would be very interested as they are just looking for something to copper fasten what they know. We still hold great hope that Rachel’s killer will be tracked down - that’s what keeps us going.”

Superintendent Tom Gallagher, of Balbriggan Station, made a fresh appeal for people who have not yet come forward to do so. He directed his appeal to drivers of uninsured cars who were in the Naul area around October 4.

Supt Gallagher said several untaxed and uninsured cars were found abandoned in the area. Drivers have been assured the investigation team is only interested in gathering information in relation to the murder.