A man has appeared in court charged with murdering his ‘well-known’ parents and brother at their home in Ireland.
Robert O’Connor, 31, of Drumgowna, Louth village, was brought before a special sitting of Drogheda District Court yesterday evening.
His solicitor told the court Mr O’Connor has been getting mental health support since he was 22. He is charged with the murder of his mother Louise, 56, his father Mark, 54, and his brother Evan, 27, at their family home in Drumgowna on Monday morning.
A care worker who often visited the family made the grim discovery just before 10am on Monday morning. Mark was found in a pool of blood at the gate, Evan was lying on the ground outside at the side of the property, and Louise was discovered inside the house.
Gardai later arrested Mr O’Connor about a kilometre away. A source said: ‘He was just walking along the road, he wasn’t running or trying to evade gardai.’
It is alleged that his hands were covered in blood, but his clothes looked clean, leading officers to believe he had changed after the killings. According to the Irish Independent, it is understood that after leaving the scene he told a local: ‘I’m sorry for all the screaming and shouting. It’s over now.’
It is thought that Mark and Evan tried to get away in search of help but were fatally attacked before they could escape.
Garda Shane O’Malley of Drogheda Garda Station told the court that Mr O’Connor made no reply when the murder charges were put to him.
District Courts do not have the legal authority to grant bail so Mr O’Connor was remanded in custody. His solicitor has the right to apply for bail to the High Court if they wish to do so.
Mr O’Connor, who was dressed in black tracksuit bottoms and a grey jumper, did not address the court yesterday.
Judge Stephanie Coggans remanded him in custody to appear before her again via video-link next Monday, October 6.
Defence solicitor Paul James Moore told the court that Mr O’Connor had been assisted by mental health services since his early 20s and requested a psychiatric assessment. Mr Moore also applied for legal aid.
Judge Coggans ordered that a psychiatric assessment be carried out on Mr O’Connor and granted legal aid of one barrister and one solicitor.
Louise, 56, was a nurse who taught English to Ukrainian people living in Ireland. She also volunteered in pet rescue centres.
Mark was a regional manager for the National Advocacy Service, which provides advocacy for people with disabilities.
The couple were both founding parents at the Drogheda ABACAS Special School. In a statement, the school said it was devastated at the loss of the three lives.
It said: ‘It was with the deepest sadness that we heard the news of the sudden passing of Mark, Louise and Evan O’Connor. Mark and Louise were founder parents of the Drogheda ABACAS Special School and Evan one of the first two children to attend ABACAS on day one.
‘Both Mark and Louise were passionate advocates for their son Evan and for all autistic people.
‘Mark was a board member of Autism Support Louth&Meath and was a professional advocate for the rights of people with disabilities in his career.
‘Both Mark and Louise were instrumental in the setting up of Drogheda ABACAS and many, many families owe them a debt of gratitude.
‘They campaigned, lobbied and fundraised for the school and youth clubs and will always be remembered for their legacy to ABACAS and to autistic people.’
It added: ‘Evan attended ABACAS for 14 years. He grew up with us. There are so many moments to remember, so many stories from school and club we will tell each other, especially over the next few weeks.’
Inclusion Ireland, which is a voluntary organisation working to promote the rights of people with an intellectual disability, also paid tribute to the family and said that Mark had worked for Inclusion Ireland for nearly ten years.
A spokesman said in a statement: ‘We are deeply shocked and heartbroken to hear of the passing of our former colleague Mark O’Connor, his wife Louise and their son Evan.
‘Mark worked with Inclusion Ireland for almost ten years. [He] was a dedicated member of our team whose kindness and support left a lasting impression on everyone who worked with him.
‘Mark championed the rights of disabled children and adults and campaigned for a more inclusive Ireland for us all. There are many people across the country who benefited from Mark’s advice and support in navigating exclusion and discrimination.
‘Our thoughts are with Mark, Louise and Evan’s extended family and friends at this incredibly difficult time. We also extend our sympathy to his colleagues at the National Advocacy Service today.
‘May they rest in peace.’
Just days before their deaths, Mark and Louise had celebrated their 33rd wedding anniversary.
On September 12, Mark posted a photograph of their wedding day in 1992, writing: ‘There I am with Louise Doherty O’Connor 33 years ago today. Still very much in love.’
He had also written: ‘I am blessed to have been married to the wonderful Louise Doherty O’Connor all these years.’
The couple recently celebrated paying off the mortgage on their home. Mark’s Facebook page was filled with his running achievements and affectionate selfies with Louise. Friends said they were a devoted couple and doting parents.
Garda Superintendent Andrew Watters said: ‘The O’Connor family are a very well-known and respected family. They are good neighbours and an integral part of their local community in Drumgowna and the wider area of Louth and Monaghan.’
The murders have left the local community in shock. Dozens of people attended morning Mass at the Church of the Immaculate Conception in Louth village on Tuesday.
According to the Irish Independent, Parish priest V. Rev Sijo John said: ‘We are really sad to hear of the death of Mark, Louise and Evan. Our community is in deep sorrow. Let us bring their souls into the mercy of God.
‘We are waiting on details of the funeral. Let us bring their souls into our hearts.’
