Dundalk man missing in Thailand is found and on the way home

A photo of Francis O’Brien taken while he was in police custody

The Dundalk man who has been missing in Thailand for the last few days while suffering from memory loss has been found and is on his way home.

Francis ‘Flossy’ O’Brien was discovered wandering in the Thalang area of Phuket at around 9pm last Saturday.

He was spotted by locals who became concerned for his welfare and brought him to Thalang police station.

Reports claim that Francis was able to inform officers that he was on holiday, but was unable to tell them how or why he came to be alone in the Thalang area. He was only identifiable due to his driving licence.

He was later released by police, who said they don’t know where he is now and added that Mr O’Brien’s welfare was not their responsibility.

His family have been dealing with the Irish consul in Thailand to look for him ever since, with a family friend confirming his return just moments ago saying: “I was talking to Flossy’s brother Oliver and he has confirmed that Flossy is on his way home. All is well. Thank God for great news.”

It is expected that Mr O’Brien will be reunited with his family tomorrow morning.

Earlier, Mr O’Brien’s family had criticised Thai authorities for letting him go while he was in their custody.

Commenting on the matter in the Irish Daily Star today, Francis’s brother Charlie said the police should never have let him go given his condition.

Dundalk man suffering from memory loss may be lost in Thailand

Francis O’Brien

An Irishman, believed to be from Dundalk, who is suffering from memory loss was discovered in Thailand only to be lost again by Thai authorities, according to a report in today’s Irish Daily Star.

Police confirmed that they have identified the man as Francis O’Brien from his driver’s licence.

The Phuket News released images of the man with police officers in an appeal for help.

According to the paper’s website Francis was observed wandering in the Thalang area of Phuket at around 9pm on Saturday.

He was spotted by locals who became concerned for his welfare and brought him to Thalang police station.

Reports claim that Francis was able to inform officers that he was on holiday, but was unable to tell them how or why he came to be alone in the Thalang area.

Translator Mayura Laliphong told reporters that: “They (the police) said he was from Ireland and that he had lost his memory.

“I was asked to speak to him to find out who he was and when we asked his name he showed us his driving licence.”

Mayura said officers could not find any evidence of injury.

“He seemed to be communicating okay and when we asked him where he wished to go he told us he had a friend in Patong.

“We dropped him off there.”

Police captain Urumporn Koondejsumrit directed queries about Mr O’Brien’s whereabouts back to his translator Mayura.

“We don’t know what hotel he is in or where he has gone, admitted Mayura.

“We don’t know where he is.”

The police officer who dropped Francis off in Patong insisted to local media that Mr O’Brien’s welfare was not the force’s responsibility.

Officer Jirapat Nawathong confirmed he dropped Francis off at the security booth of Tor Mor police in Patong.

When asked by reporters why he didn’t look further into the case of apparent memory loss Nawthong said “I only do what (the foreigner) asks.

“I would not do anything more than that because I had problems before from foreigners asking me to do too many things.

“I was once accused of stealing money from a foreigner while I tried to look inside his wallet to check his ID, so we have to be careful when dealing with foreigners and only do what they ask for.”

The Thalang police can be contacted at 006681 755 5794 if anyone from the area can shed further light on how Francis came to be in Thailand.

Table quiz in aid of Marist Missions in Dundalk this Friday

A fundraising table quiz in aid of the Marist Missions in Ranong, Thailand, will take place this Friday at McGeough’s Pub, Roden Place, at 8.30pm.

The event is being organised by St Mary’s College student Shane De Rís, who plays to travel to Ranong in June after his Leaving Cert to teach English.

Admission is €5 per person and there will be a raffle on the night.

Further details can be found on www.maristthailand.org

MMA event to be held in Crowne Plaza

A Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) event will be held this Saturday May 4th in the Crowne Plaza Hotel.

Soul of the Warrior IV together with Dundalk Thai Boxing Club will host ‘Pride and Glory’, an event which will feature six Muay Thai and 8 MMA fights on a card that features a host of local fights.

Tickets to the event are €25 and are available from The Sunshine Tanning Studio and Monika’s Nail Bar in Dundalk or by calling 087-6451279.

Doors open on Saturday at 7pm, with the first fight at 8pm.