O'Reilly to appeal conviction

Killer Joe O’Reilly is to appeal his conviction for murdering his wife and mother of their two young children in their home, it was confirmed tonight.

He was jailed for life last month for bludgeoning Rachel to death in The Naul, north Co Dublin following a four-week trial that gripped the country.

A spokesman for the Courts Service said papers were lodged with the office of the Court of Criminal Appeal this afternoon.

It is not clear when the appeal will be heard as there is a six to eight month waiting list for cases to come before the court.

The 35-year-old was sentenced to life in prison on July 21 after a jury deliberated for nine hours at the Central Criminal Court and found O’Reilly guilty of murder.

He had denied laying in wait at Lambay View, Baldaragh, The Naul, on October 4, 2004 and murdering 30-year-old Rachel.

The 21-day long trial stirred more public and media interest than any other held in Dublin’s Four Courts in recent years with members of the public queuing each morning to get into the courtroom.

Just two men took the stand in support of O’Reilly.