Irish man (45) charged with murder in Australia after Irish woman (39) dies from serious injuries

LAST UPDATE | 47 mins ago

AN IRISH MAN has been charged with murder following the death of an Irish woman at the home of a young family in Melbourne.

Police were called to a property on Ferntree Gully Road in the suburb of Ferntree Gully, located about 30 kilometres from the Central Business District about 10am on Friday 21 August about 1am Irish time. 

Officers arrived to find an injured woman. Paramedics tried to save her, but she died at the scene.

Victoria State Police have identified the woman as mother of three Annmarie O’Reilly (39) who is originally from Clonmel in County Tipperary. 

The man has since appeared at Melbourne Magistrates’ Court via video link, and was subsequently remanded in custody.

He will appear again in court on 23 February 2027.

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In an emotional tribute on social media her cousin John O’Reilly wrote: “What a cruel world we live in. Rest in peace to my cousin Annmarie. God look over your children at this sad time and help my uncle and wife get through this sad time. May you get the best bed in heaven.”

It is believed that the 45-year-old man was originally from County Waterford. Witnesses reported seeing the man taken into custody wearing a hazmat suit.

Homicide Squad detectives are investigating the woman’s death, while forensic officers spent much of Friday collecting evidence at the property.

A pet dog was also seen being removed by local authorities. Police have not disclosed the nature of the woman’s injuries or the relationship between the woman and the man in custody.

The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade said it is aware of the death of an Irish woman in suspicious circumstances in Melbourne.

A Department spokesperson said: “It is aware of this case and is providing consular assistance. As with all consular cases, the Department does not comment on the details of individual cases.”

Additional reporting by Ottoline Spearman