Irishman found dead in Malaysia apartment

Department of Foreign Affairs providing assistance to family of Brian Patrick O’Reilly

Mr O’Reilly was found dead in an apartment block in the city of Penang in Malaysia. Photograph: PDRM
Mr O’Reilly was found dead in an apartment block in the city of Penang in Malaysia. Photograph: PDRM

An Irish man has been found dead at an apartment in northwest Malaysia.

The body of the man, who has been named locally as Brian Patrick O’Reilly (50), was discovered in an apartment block in the city of Penang in Malaysia, according to local media reports.

Mr O’Reilly was an Irish citizen and held an Irish passport but is understood to have also held a South African passport. It’s believed he worked in Information Technology. A spokesman for the Department of Foreign Affairs said they were aware of the case and providing consular assistance to Mr O’Reilly’s family.

Investigators believe he was struck on a head with a large object before his throat was cut. He also received a stab wound to the stomach, according to local media organisation FMT news.

READ MORE

A note discovered at the scene wrote, “I respected the police and still do but justice sometimes has to be gained. I hate you mafia killing scammers, I love my girl and she is dead.”

Mr O’Reilly was found dead in an apartment block in the city of Penang in Malaysia
Mr O’Reilly was found dead in an apartment block in the city of Penang in Malaysia

Penang police chief for the northeast district Che Zaimani Che Awang told local media that CCTV showed Mr O’Reilly leaving the home on Friday night, March 1st. Later footage showed a man entering Mr O’Reilly’s apartment early on Saturday morning and then a “Caucasian man” leaving the building alone that afternoon carrying a bag.

“We feel this man is the key suspect in the murder. He was seen leaving the apartment in an Audi car,” Mr Zaimani told the media.

A man in his 40s and a woman in her 30s have reportedly been arrested in connection with the investigation into Mr O’Reilly’s death.

Penang police chief Comm Datuk T Narenasagaran said authorities are still searching for a “fair-skinned foreign man” who he said could be “key” to the investigation.

Sorcha Pollak

Sorcha Pollak

Sorcha Pollak is an Irish Times reporter specialising in immigration issues and cohost of the In the News podcast