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Andrew O’Keefe charged with breach of bail, drug possession after being ‘revived’ by paramedics in 3.30am call

Beleaguered television star Andrew O’Keefe suffered a ‘drug overdose’ early Saturday morning in Sydney’s eastern suburbs, and has now been arrested and charged by police.

Andrew O’Keefe leaves Waverley Court House in August. Picture: NewsWire / Max Mason-Hubers
Andrew O’Keefe leaves Waverley Court House in August. Picture: NewsWire / Max Mason-Hubers

Beleaguered television star Andrew O’Keefe was arrested and charged on Monday afternoon after having to be revived by paramedics following a ‘drug overdose’ early Saturday morning at his apartment in Sydney’s eastern suburbs.

The fallen personality, whose struggles with illicit substances have been well documented, was charged with breach of bail and possessing a prohibited drug on Monday afternoon after he was taken to hospital after police and ambulance were called to the Vaucluse unit at 3.30am on Saturday.

Emergency services were called to an address on Old South Head Road in Vaucluse where they had to ‘revive’ the 52-year-old after he had ‘overdosed on drugs’. It is understood one other person was at the residence, and called 000 when he became unconscious.

On Monday afternoon O’Keefe was pictured reporting to Rose Bay police station. He was then taken by officers - who had removed his belt, shoes and spectacles - to Waverley police station.

In a statement, NSW police confirmed emergency services attended the apartment and that O’Keefe had been arrested on Monday afternoon for breaching his bail.

“Officers attached to Eastern Suburbs Police Area Command were called to a home unit on Old South head Road at Vaucluse about 3.40am (Saturday 14 September 2024), responding to concerns for the welfare of a 52-year-old man.”

“NSW Ambulance paramedics rendered assistance to the man before taking him to St Vincent’s Hospital where he is reported to be in a stable condition.

“Following inquiries, about 2.25pm Monday, officers arrested a 52-year-old man at Rose Bay Police Station.

“Police then searched a vehicle nearby where they located prohibited drugs,” the statement said.

The breach is linked to stalk/intimidate, trespass, and contravene DVO charges he is defending from earlier in the year.

On Monday evening O’Keefe’s Mercedes was spotted out the front of Rose Bay police station in a police only parking spot, with its lights left on.

O’Keefe will spend the night in custody and appear before a magistrate at Waverley Local Court on Tuesday morning.

The one-time host of The Chase had a record of drug abuse, verbal attacks on staff and highly inappropriate ­behaviour. Picture: Nine News
The one-time host of The Chase had a record of drug abuse, verbal attacks on staff and highly inappropriate ­behaviour. Picture: Nine News
It is understood O’Keefe has been discharged. Picture: Nine News
It is understood O’Keefe has been discharged. Picture: Nine News

The former star’s career at Channel 7 dissolved amid allegations of drug use, despite the efforts of network executives to save him.

The one-time host of The Chase had a record of drug abuse, verbal attacks on staff and highly inappropriate ­behaviour, always followed by denials.

Since then, O’Keefe has been in and out of court for various domestic violence and drug related charges.

Liam Mendes
Liam MendesReporter

Liam is a journalist with the NSW bureau of The Australian. He started his journalism career as a photographer before freelancing for the NZ Herald, news.com.au and the Daily Telegraph. Liam was News Corp Australia's Young Journalist of the Year in 2022 and was awarded a Kennedy Award for coverage of the NSW floods. He has also previously worked as a producer for Channel Seven’s investigative journalism program 7News Spotlight. He can be contacted at MendesL@theaustralian.com.au or Liam.Mendes@protonmail.com.

Original URL: https://www.theaustralian.com.au/nation/andrew-okeefe-revived-by-paramedics-at-330am-on-saturday/news-story/ab8b6ccfcdd80c03ac9bb1d1b8b2ab34