Jersey City Mayor Jerramiah Healy’s longtime friend and employee John Reilly collapsed in the Astor Bar on Montgomery Street in Jersey City last Sunday, Feb. 15. Reilly is the mayor’s liaison to the city’s autonomous agencies, and Healy’s friend for over 25 years.
According to Police Chief Thomas Comey, Reilly around 1 a.m. last Sunday, was taken to the Jersey City Medical Center after he became ill and then collapsed. Information on his current condition was not made available.
“Our thoughts and prayers are with John Reilly right now and with his family. We hope that he overcomes this illness and makes a full recovery,” Comey said.
Comey said based on interviews with patrons in the bar, Reilly was allegedly involved in an argument with another patron, which was verbal but did not escalate into a physical confrontation. Comey also said witnesses told police that allegedly the two men continued arguing as they were separated and each one was walked to opposite ends of the bar. Comey said police and EMT’s were called to the scene after Reilly collapsed. According to five city sources, the other patron Reilly was allegedly arguing with is an employee of the city’s Department of Public Works.
Comey said the investigation into the alleged altercation began after the police received anonymous phone calls pertaining to Reilly’s condition.
Comey also said he has consulted with the Hudson County Prosecutor’s Office on an ongoing investigation. Hudson County Prosecutor Edward DeFazio said his office contacted the police after some information regarding the incident was forwarded to the Prosecutor’s Office.
Comey urges anyone with information about the incident to come forward and contact police at (201) 547-JAIL (5245). – Ricardo Kaulessar