Wednesday 28 October 2026Compiled from published reports. Every claim links to its source.

Ireland Crime

Every case followed from the first report to the sentence, or to where the reporting stopped.

Case No. 6466Murder · Co. Dublin · 4 Oct 2004

Mother of murdered Rachel Callaly vows to keep Joe O'Reilly in prison

Rachel Callaly was murdered by her husband Joe O'Reilly at their home in Naul, County Dublin, on 4 October 2004. Evidence at the trial included emails that came out during the proceedings. According to her mother Rose Callaly, O'Reilly is in prison and has served under 17 years, and he is now applying for parole. Rose Callaly, whose husband Jim died suddenly earlier in February 2024, has vowed to keep fighting to keep O'Reilly in prison, as reported on 27 February 2024.

  1. Reported
  2. Arrested
  3. Charged
  4. In court
  5. Verdict
  6. Sentenced
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
Rachel Callaly was murdered by her husband Joe O'Reilly.
Where
The murder took place at the couple's home in Naul, County Dublin.
When
The murder took place on 4 October 2004.
In court
Evidence in the case included emails that came out during the trial.
Sentence
O'Reilly is in prison, and Rose Callaly says he has not yet served 17 years.
Other details
  • O'Reilly is applying for parole.
  • Rose Callaly, Rachel's mother, has vowed to keep fighting to keep O'Reilly in prison.
  • The family's campaign includes a letter Rose Callaly received from President Michael D Higgins.
  • Rose Callaly's husband Jim died suddenly at their home in early February 2024.
6 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatRachel Callaly was murdered by her husband Joe. (dublinlive.ie)
  • whereThe murder happened at the couple's home in Naul. (dublinlive.ie)
  • courtEvidence in the case included emails that came out during the trial. (dublinlive.ie)
  • otherJoe O'Reilly is applying for parole. (dublinlive.ie)
  • otherRose Callaly says O'Reilly has not yet served 17 years. (dublinlive.ie)
  • otherRose Callaly vows to keep fighting to keep O'Reilly in prison. (dublinlive.ie)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 27 Feb2024
    Otherdublinlive.ie, follow-up
    Mother of Rachel Callaly won't stop fighting to keep Joe O'Reilly behind bars

    Follow-up feature on the family's campaign against Joe O'Reilly's parole application, with a family statement and a letter from President Michael D Higgins. Adds that O'Reilly is applying for parole and has served under 17 years.

    victim, Rachel Callaly, female, irish (judged from name)Rachel Callalyconvicted, Joe O'Reilly, male, named, irish (judged from name)Joe O'Reilly