Wife killer Joe O'Reilly joined by 'devoted' girlfriend for prison graduation
Wife killer Joe O’Reilly was joined by his ‘very devoted’ partner as he celebrated graduating from a university course behind bars.
The convicted murderer was honoured at the Midlands Prison in Portlaoise after completing an Open University course in Business earlier this month.
O’Reilly’s girlfriend, Nikki Pelley, was among those invited to the ceremony, along with a member of his family.
Joe O’Reilly was a handed a life sentence for the murder of his wife. Photo: RTE.
O’Reilly, 54, is serving a life sentence for the infamous murder of his wife, mother-of-two Rachel Callaly, at their home in the Naul, Co Dublin, in 2004.
Speaking to Dublin Live, a source said: ‘O’Reilly celebrated completing his Open University course last week and Nikki and a family member attended the ceremony. He was delighted to get to share the special occasion with them.’
According to the report, Pelley visits O’Reilly almost every weekend and remains ‘very devoted’ to him.
Rachel Callaly. Pic: Collect
The source said the couple, along with O’Reilly’s parents, also had a Section 39 visit two weeks ago. This is a more relaxed, open-style visit held in a neutral area of the prison where staff keep their distance.
O’Reilly works in the prison tuck shop, a job he has held for around four years and which is described as a position of trust.
When not studying or working, he is said to keep fit and practise martial arts, and is described as a ‘model prisoner.’
Nikki Pelley in 2007. Pic: Garrett White/Collins
Rachel, 30, was found bludgeoned to death with a dumbbell at her home.
O’Reilly staged the murder as a burglary and appeared on RTÉ’s Late Late Show to discuss theories on who could have killed his wife in 2007 before he was arrested.
Rachel’s mother, who discovered her daughter’s body in the victim’s north Co. Dublin home, said: ‘He knew I was going to find [Rachel’s body] but he just has no moral compass in any way. That wouldn’t worry him, I don’t think it would even register with him.’
Speaking in 2023, Rachel’s brother Paul said: ‘My view is that I don’t think he should ever get out. He should never be released.’
‘I think he’s a psychopath. If you can go to bed every night knowing in a week’s time, a month’s time what you’re going to do and then carry on a normal life before and after your actions, then there’s definitely something missing in your head.
‘In his head he did the deed and he carried on with his life thinking it’s over. For everyone else, her family, her friends, we’re left picking up the pieces for years.’
The convicted murderer was previously housed in Arbour Hill Prison, where he worked as a cook, before his move to the Midlands in 2022.
O’Reilly continues to maintain his innocence despite being locked up for almost 20 years. He has, on several occasions, failed in attempts to be released.
