Gardaí investigating the murder of Rachel O'Reilly at her home near Naul, Co Dublin, last October are confident they will be able to read the contents of a note which was left in her coffin by the chief suspect in the murder.
The note was found in the coffin by gardaí when they exhumed Mrs O'Reilly's remains last Tuesday. It is understood it was in poor condition after five months in the ground, making much of it illegible.
However, gardaí have carried out a number of treatments on the note over the last week and say they believe they will be able to read its full contents.
However, one source said it remained to be seen if there was anything incriminating on the note or whether it was simply a traditional personal message.
Around six weeks ago, gardaí became aware that the chief suspect had placed the note in the coffin just before before burial. They were informed of this by a mourner who had seen the suspect placing the note.
They decided to exhume Mrs O'Reilly's remains in the event the contents might assist them in their inquiries.
Gardaí also took four other notes from the grave, which had been left by other mourners. These have also been analysed. Gardaí are hopeful they will be able to read the writing on all of the items as early as today.
Mrs O'Reilly (30) was found dead at her home in Baldarragh by her mother, Rose Callely, on October 4th last. The alarm was raised when Mrs O'Reilly failed to collect one of her two children from a creche. She was killed after receiving several blows to the head with a blunt instrument.
Three people, including the chief suspect, his male colleague and a female friend were arrested and questioned by gardaí in November but were released without charge.
