Heartache for Rachel family as killer may ask for parole
WIFE killer Joe O’Reilly may be set to make a bid for parole, sparking fury from a support group for families of murder victims.
O’Reilly, who beat his wife Rachel, the mother of his two children, to death a decade ago, will be entitled to appear before the Parole Board in four months as he has served the minimum seven- year prison sentence to qualify for parole.
It is understood the Prison Service has referred the murderer’s case file to the Parole Board for consideration.
But John O’Keeffe, for Advocates for Victims of Homicide, said: ‘It continues to be the case that the rights of murderers are placed above those of the victim.
‘The minimum seven-year term to qualify for parole is a terrible burden for victims’ families as they have to live with the knowledge that their loved one’s killer could potentially walk free.
‘Jill Meagher’s killer must serve 35 years’
‘In contrast, look at the case [in Australia] of Jill Meagher, where Adrian Bayley has to serve at least 35 years in jail before being considered for parole.’
Mr O’Keeffe said that in a research study of families of victims of homicide that AdVIC conducted, 63 per cent surveyed said that they would like to see minimum tariffs introduced for homicide.
Mr O’Keeffe said: ‘Under this system, the appropriate level of approbation would be handed down and families would have a clear picture of how long offenders would serve.’
O’Reilly was convicted by a Central Criminal Court jury in 2007 of the murder of his 30-year-old wife in their home in Naul, Co Dublin and was sentenced to life imprisonment.
The murderer will have served the minimum seven years required for a prisoner serving life to go before the Parole Board in July this year.
A Prison Service spokesman said: ‘All prisoners serving a life sentence are entitled after seven years to engage with in the Parole Board process.
‘Prisoners serving life are made aware that they can engage in the Parole Board process and it is up to them to decide if they want to engage with the Parole Board.’
The Parole Board will now write to the prisoner to see if he wishes to engage with the agency, according to the Irish Daily Star.
If O’Reilly takes up the opportunity, he will then appear before the Parole Board and it will make recommendations based on his disciplinary record, engagement with authorities, and length of time served.
A source told the newspaper: ‘ In O’Reilly’s case, he has been an exemplary prisoner who has taken up all opportunities to engage in courses and education.
‘The only sticking point points would be the fact that he still hasn’t acknowledged guilt and time served.’
The source said the average sentence now being served by male lifers was 17and-a-half years, adding it was unlikely he will be free in the short to medium term despite an ‘exemplary’ record.
O’Reilly has reportedly studied Leaving Cert English at the Midlands Prison with a view to getting a degree. He has worked as a cleaner at the prison and regularly keeps fit in the gym. The former advertising executive is said to be co-operative with prison staff.
O’Reilly’s bid to have his murder conviction declared a miscarriage of justice was struck out by the Court of Criminal Appeal a year ago. However, Mr Justice Adrian Hardiman granted his lawyers permission to re-enter the application when it is ready to proceed.
O’Reilly already lost an appeal against his conviction in 2009. He failed in a bid to have his conviction quashed after arguing his detention in the Midlands Prison was unlawful.