French police probe death of Irishman

POLICE in France have launched an investigation following the discovery of the body of an Irishman at his home in the south of the country.

Kevin O’Rourke, 62, was found dead at his home in the coastal village of St Girons in the south west of France.

Police said the circumstances of his death are suspicious.

Mr O’Rourke was discovered partially dressed with his hands and legs tied.

However, there was no sign of violence or a break in at his home and the doors were locked from the inside, the local investigating magistrate was quoted as saying.

Mr O’Rourke had lived in St Girons, around 25 miles east of Biarritz, for the past 25 years.

He was married with two children and was well known and respected locally. He was a member of the village’s municipal council.

“There are no signs of violence. Nor did we see any sign of a break-in or a robbery,” said local prosecutor Eric Maurel, who is leading the judicial enquiry.

Mr Maurel said the building was locked from the inside.

The village mayor Pierre Lafargue said O’Rourke was married with two children. His wife had gone to the town of Nantes on a work trip, Mr Lafargue told a news agency.

O’Rourke worked at a nursery school in the nearby town of Orthez and was active in the social life of the village, the mayor said.