[1] A report published by the National Board for Safeguarding Children in the Catholic Church on 30 November 2011 found that the Diocese of Kilmore was a "model of best practice" in the area of child protection, mainly due to O'Reilly's "personal commitment and diligence".
[4] However, it was reported on 18 December that a priest at the centre of abuse allegations and complaints continued to live in a parochial house in the diocese, despite repeated requests from O'Reilly that he move to alternative accommodation.
[6][7] O'Reilly referred to a 2012 decision by the Government of Ireland to legislate with regulations on abortion based on the X Case as the "first step on the road to a culture of death", echoing a phrase popularised by Pope John Paul II in a homily marking World Youth Day 1993.
[12] Following a diocesan listening process, it was reported on 23 June 2015 that O'Reilly sought to discuss with his colleagues at the Irish Catholic Bishops' Conference the possibility of ordaining married men to the priesthood and women to the diaconate.
[13] It was announced on 31 December 2018 that O'Reilly had tendered his resignation to Pope Francis on health grounds and in advance of his 75th birthday in accordance with canon law, and that it had been accepted with immediate effect.