The letter: extracts

Exerpts from the letter left by Joe O'Reilly in his wife's coffin.

Exerpts from the letter left by Joe O'Reilly in his wife's coffin.

"Rachel, I love you so very, very much. I can't think of what to do without you. You're the best thing that ever happened to me.

"This is the hardest letter I've ever had to write, for reasons only we know.

"Rachel, forgive me. Two words, one sentence. I'll say them forever."

"I'm sorry about your Mum finding out about Teresa . . . but please know it wasn't my fault."

"I miss you so much Rachy. You went away from this world so very young . . . You went away like Peter Pan . . . Everyone misses your mad personality."

  • Join The Irish Times on WhatsApp and stay up to date

  • Sign up for push alerts to get the best breaking news, analysis and comment delivered directly to your phone

  • Listen to In The News podcast daily for a deep dive on the stories that matter