Prison sources say 35-year-old O'Reilly has adapted well to prison life and is spending nearly two hours every day socialising with sex offenders and atrisk prisoners.

O'Reilly's cell is only yards from that of O'Donoghue, Robert Holohan's killer, and the pair have met and had several conversations.

Prison staff describe prisoner number 42807 as "pleasant enough but aloof" and say he spends his days watching television, reading his bible and writing letters.

He is said to keep his cell immaculately clean.

Staff feared O'Reilly would be a prime target for attack because of his high profile so a decision was made to move him to an isolated wing housing sex offenders and other prisoners who cannot mix with the 'ordinary' prison population because of fears for their safety.

However, he has not been threatened at all and has not come to the attention of prison staff. It is likely he will be under protection for the foreseeable future because prison management fear it is inevitable he will be stabbed or given a severe beating if he's allowed to mix with ordinary inmates.

O'Reilly has indicated he wants to take an education course in September and does not want a job in the prison. He has the option of studying for an Open University degree in any subject he chooses.

Contrary to media reports, he has not been given employment in the jail's kitchen because protected prisoners are not allowed to work with the general prison population. There is also a long waiting list for jobs.

Joe O'Reilly is allowed one 30-minute visit each week and sources say he was visited by his mother last week. Up to three people are allowed to visit at any one time and have to be vetted by senior staff.

He can also nominate two personal numbers he can ring and is permitted to make one six-minute phone call per day.

He has nominated members of his family.

O'Reilly was examined by a prison doctor and was found to be in good health. All prisoners who are sentenced to a life term are automatically under suicide watch, usually lasting up to 72 hours. O'Reilly's watch was removed after 24 hours because he showed no signs of stress or emotion about his new surroundings.

One prison officer said: "There has been absolutely no problem with Joe O'Reilly at all. He is a quiet enough guy who spends a good bit of time in his cell.

He has been reading his bible but he also watches a lot of TV. He is very respectful to staff and is pleasant enough but aloof. He says please and thank you and is fine.

"He has been to the communal recreation area every day and chats away with the other inmates. There has been no tension at all, but then again most of those guys are sex offenders so they aren't really hard-men types like a lot of the ordinary guys.

"He has met Wayne O'Donoghue alright but there are less than 30 guys on the wing so that wouldn't be unusual, " added the source.

The Sunday Tribune understands it is "very likely" that Rose and Jim Callaly will apply for custody of Rachel's two children, Luke and Adam. The boys are currently being cared for by O'Reilly's mother, Ann, at her home near Drogheda.

"Rose and Jim absolutely worship the two boys and they are the closest thing they have to Rachel. I'd say it is very likely that they will apply for custody.

They are decent people and will allow Joe's family to see them if they are successful in any future custody hearing, " said an informed source.

It is thought that Ann O'Reilly will not willingly surrender custody so a court battle looks inevitable.

So what's next for Joe O'Reilly? He has yet to file an appeal against his conviction, although this is inevitable. His lawyers must apply by Friday 10 August.

His legal team spent last week preparing papers to lodge in court and have already started working on the appeal. It could be another week before the papers are ready.

Convictions can be overturned only on points of law and it is difficult to see exactly what O'Reilly will argue. His lawyers might say that the mobile phone evidence is not 100% scientifically accurate, but they did not question the use of O'Reilly's phone in relation to masts when it was presented in court.

It is anticipated that the amount of media publicity before the trial will be used to argue that it was impossible that he would get a fair trial. Legal experts do not believe this defence would be successful.

O'Reilly's legal team did not make an issue of press coverage before the trial got underway because they knew it was a double-edged sword. Although there was blanket coverage of the murder, O'Reilly courted the media and went out of his way at times to contact journalists.

The prosecution was prepared to argue that nobody forced O'Reilly to go on the Late Late Show or initiate contact with journalists. Detectives spoke to every journalist who had ever written about the case before the trial started and the prosecution had an argument ready if the press coverage issue was raised.

It will probably take about 18 months before an appeal is heard. All appeals are heard by three judges and there is no jury involved. Whatever happens, we haven't seen or heard the last of Joe O'Reilly.

BILL OF FARE FOR WIFE MURDERER

WHEN Joe O'Reilly woke up this morning he went to the canteen at around 8.45am and enjoyed a buffet breakfast of cereal, toast, orange juice and tea or coffee. For lunch he will have braised beef with roast potatoes and peas and a fruit yogurt for dessert. He returned to the canteen at 4.15pm and eat jumbo sausages and beans.

Honey-glazed gammon and pineapple with creamed potatoes and cabbage is on the menu for lunch tomorrow. On Tuesday, beef curry and rice will be on offer while a lamb hotpot with parsley potatoes is served on Wednesday followed by jelly and fruit. The prison kitchen staff will prepare home-made beef burger and Lyonnaise sauce with cream potatoes and beans on Thursday with a desert of fruit "an and custard. Friday is traditionally fish day and a breaded fillet with mash and mixed vegetables will be served this Friday. Chicken in mushroom sauce with potato wedges and carrots is on the menu this Saturday.

O'Reilly has a kettle in his cell so he can prepare tea and coffee throughout the day and has his own television with all the main Irish and UK channels.

THE DAILY ROUTINE THAT JOE O'REILLY WILL FOLLOW FOR THE NEXT 20 YEARS:

8.15am Unlock, toilet, breakfast, return to cell.

9.15am Unlock, make bed, tidy cell, go to employment or school.

12.15pm Collect dinner, return to cell.

2.15pm Unlock, tidy cell, return to employment or school.

4.15pm Collect tea, return to cell.

5.30pm Unlock, go to recreation.

7.30pm Collect supper, return to cell.

8.00pm Final lock-up.

10.00pm Lights out.