The badly decomposed body of an Irish cycling star has been found by Thai police in an apartment at a tourist resort.

David Hourigan (38) was living at the seaside resort of Pattaya for the past three months. Authorities believe that his body may have lain undiscovered for over three days.

Hourigan was a former cyclist and had represented Ireland at various world championships.

A spokesperson for Limerick Cycling Club said that Hourigan was a very talented cyclist who dominated the junior cycling scene in Ireland and often won senior titles.

In the early 1980s and 1990s he competed against the likes of Tour de France winner Stephen Roche and Sean Kelly.

Hourigan represented Ireland as an amateur at the World Junior Championships in Moscow and went on to represent Ireland at the World Senior Championships in Stuttgart.

In 1992 he went on to be the first Irishman to win the Isle of Man's Manx International event in over 25 years.

A member of staff at Hourigan's apartment complex, Khun Wallapar, told local media how became worried when he did not see Hourigan for several days.

Wallapar called to his room yesterday morning to check on Hourigan but encountered a foul smell. With the help of another member of staff, Wallapar broke down the door and found Hourigan lying dead and naked on his bed.

Police said it is not yet clear what caused the man's death, but a post mortem is currently under way.

The Department of Foreign Affairs said its Thai consul is liaising with Thai authorities and the family of the deceased.