'I'm really, really worried about you'

Voice messages left on Rachel O'Reilly's mobile phone on the day she was brutally murdered were read out in court yesterday.

Voice messages left on Rachel O'Reilly's mobile phone on the day she was brutally murdered were read out in court yesterday.

Garda Brian McDonagh told the court he transcribed the messages that were on her phone.

Dominic McGinn, prosecuting, then read the messages out in court.

The first message is from Mr O'Reilly at 11.52am on Monday, October 4th, saying: "Hiya Rach, it's just 12 o'clock. Ringing to see where you are. Obviously you're just in Jackie's chewing the fat and not listening to messages from me.

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"Give us a shout. Let me know how your morning's been, all the usual sort of stuff. Don't forget to wish Jackie a happy birthday. Okay, goodbye."

Montessori teacher Helen Moore then called her and left a message at 12.55pm. She says to Rachel: "Helen here, just gone five to one. Just to see if you're on your way and is everything okay? I'll talk to you soon, bye."

Another message from Mr O'Reilly at 13.18pm says: "Hiya Rach, it's only me, I just got a call from Helen in Montessori. She says you haven't picked up Adam. Was Sarah meant to pick him up or something? Give us a shout. I'm going to try the home number.

"You've no doubt left your phone at home or in the back of the car or something . . . Helen has to go and pick up her kids so she can't stay there. So if you get back and she's not there, don't panic. I will try the home number, thanks."

A third message from Mr O'Reilly at 13.24pm says: "Rach, this is Joe. I tried your number now I don't know how many times. You're not in Jackie's and not in your mother's. I'm now really, really, really worried about you. Please call me, please call. This is not funny. This is not like you . . ."

Rachel's mother, Rose Callaly, left a message on her phone at 13.33pm, saying: "Rachel, it's mam. It's 1.40. Will you ring me back as soon as possible, please? See you."

A fourth message from Mr O'Reilly at 13.45pm reads: "Rach, it's me again. I'm just on the M50. I've spoken to your mother. She's going to pop on out. Please ring. I've been crying. You have me worried. I don't know, talk to me please."

A month after the murder, Mr O'Reilly left another message on her phone, most of which was already heard in court. The message, left on November 4th at 8.24am, read: "Hiya Rach, it's Joe. I'm really sorry for the very, very early phone call. This time a month ago on the 4th of October you were probably doing what I'm doing now, getting the boys ready for school. It was a sunny morning but now you are cold. I just want to go back in time and say I love and miss you but I can't.

"I don't want to live without you. Sleep well and rest in peace. I have to get the boys into the car now. First I have to get them dressed for school. Goodbye sweetheart. I miss you. I love you. Chat to you later. Bye . . ."

The court also heard of a text to Rachel from Joe at 10.07 on the morning of the murder. It read: "You and the boys sleep okay? Wish Jackie a happy birthday for me please. Xxx."