Man charged with murder after Irish mum-of-three found dead in Australia

Annmarie O’Reilly, 30, originally from Clonmel in Co Tipperary, died after being found injured at her home in Ferntree Gully, a Melbourne suburb in Victoria, Australia

A man has been charged with murder in Australia after an Irish mum-of-three was found fatally injured at her home in a Melbourne suburb.

Annmarie O’Reilly, 30, who was originally from Clonmel in Co Tipperary, was found in a critical condition by emergency services at a property in Ferntree Gully on Friday morning local time.

Paramedics tried to save Ms O’Reilly, but she was pronounced dead at the scene a short time later, the Irish Mirror reports.

Patrick Stokes, 45, who is understood to have known Ms O’Reilly, was arrested nearby later that day and taken into custody. Stokes, who is reported to be from Ireland, was charged with one count of murder on Saturday, Victoria Police said.

Ms O’Reilly’s brother, Jimmy O’Reilly, paid tribute to her in a post on Facebook. “Rest in peace to my beautiful sister Annmarie, the nicest woman you’d meet, the best mother to her kids,” he wrote. “May you get the best bed in heaven … love you so much.”

Stokes appeared before Melbourne Magistrates’ Court and was remanded in custody to appear again on February 23, 2027.

In a statement, Victoria Police said: “Homicide Squad detectives have charged a man with murder after a woman was located deceased inside a residential property in Ferntree Gully yesterday morning.

“Emergency services were called to the residence on Ferntree Gully Road just before 10am on 21 August and located an injured woman.

“Despite efforts to revive the 30-year-old Ferntree Gully woman, she was declared deceased at the scene. A 45-year-old Ferntree Gully man was arrested nearby and taken into custody. The man has since been charged with one count of murder.

“He appeared at Melbourne Magistrates’ Court this evening via audio visual link where he was remanded in custody to appear on 23 February 2027. It is alleged the parties were known to each other.”

The Irish Department of Foreign Affairs said it is aware of the death of an Irish woman and is providing consular assistance.