A man accused of murdering his wife left a letter in her coffin pleading for forgiveness, a court heard today.
Rachel O'Reilly: found dead in her north Co Dublin home
Joe O'Reilly (35) has denied killing Rachel O'Reilly at their north Co Dublin home almost three years ago. The 30-year-old mother-of-two was found beaten to death at the house at Lambay View, Baldarragh, The Naul on October 4th, 2004.
Prosecution lawyer Denis Vaughan Buckley SC said a lengthy letter was found in the murdered woman's coffin when her body was exhumed two years ago, in March 2005.
Opening the trial at Dublin's Central Criminal Court, the barrister said the letter from Mr O'Reilly was dated October 8th, 2004.
It read: "This is the hardest letter I've ever had to write for reasons only we know. Rachel forgive me."
He told the jury of nine men and three women that the letter was among the mostly circumstantial evidence that will be used against the accused during the trial expected to last six weeks.
They were told that on the day of Ms O'Reilly's funeral her husband suggested to a family friend that investigating detectives were searching in the wrong place for the murder weapon.
Mr Vaughan Buckley told the jury Mr O'Reilly said: "I don't know why they're searching in the fields, it's in the water."
When the friend looked surprised, the accused allegedly added: "Well if I did it that's what I would do ... there's water all about."
The prosecution team will also call evidence from a close friend of the dead woman who Mr O'Reilly allegedly sought help from in proving his innocence. The court heard that the defendant confided in Jacqueline O'Connor after the O'Reilly's youngest son's third birthday that he believed he would be charged for the murder.
Mr Vaughan Buckley said the accused said: "I'm afraid I'm going to be framed for murder. You have to help me prove my innocence."
When Ms O'Connor insisted that he had an alibi, he replied that there was a few hours he was not accounted for, the trial was told. It is also alleged that Mr O'Reilly appeared at his workplace red-faced with puffed out eyes at around midday on the day of the murder.
When a colleague said 'Jesus, you look like s***' he mumbled something like 'Oh Jesus', according to the prosecution barrister.
Ms O'Reilly's body was found in her bedroom after the alarm was raised when she failed to collect her children from school and creche.
Mr Justice Barry White was forced to discharge a juror after it emerged she had held a conversation relating to the case with another person during jury selection.
The trial continues.