Heartbroken mourners gathered to honour Mark, Louise and Evan O’Connor – a much-loved Co Louth family who were murdered in a shocking attack at their home last week
Hundreds of mourners gathered in heartbreak and silence today to say goodbye to Mark and Louise O’Connor and their son Evan – the much-loved family brutally murdered in their Co Louth home last week.
The bodies of Mark, 54, Louise, 56, and Evan, 27, who had additional needs, were found last Monday at their house near Tallanstown, where they had each suffered “violent deaths,” Drogheda District Court heard. Their son and brother, Robert O’Connor, 31, of Drumgowna, Louth Village, has been charged with their murders.
READ MORE: Louth murders: Loving messages of couple killed with son in horror attackREAD MORE: Louth murders: Desperate dad and son tried to flee as killer wipes out family
Their joint Funeral Mass was held at St Patrick’s Cathedral in Dundalk, led by Fr Gerry Campbell, parish administrator, alongside several concelebrants. Mourners were asked to wear odd socks – a touching tribute to one of Evan’s “individualistic traits” – and to donate to The Hub Praxis Care Drogheda and Drogheda ABACAS School, causes close to the family’s heart and symbols of their kindness and community spirit.
The hearses carrying the O’Connor’s were also given a guard of honour by members of the North East Runners AC. Mark was described as a “cherished member” of the local running club, based in Dundalk.
Addressing the packed congregation, the couple’s surviving son Cian delivered an emotional tribute. “No words can truly reflect how we all feel,” he said. “I want to celebrate the rich lives my family led.”
He remembered his mother as “wonderful,” full of love, warmth and compassion. Louise, he said, had been planning to travel to Africa for her 60th birthday to help elderly people in need – and was looking forward to Cian and his fiancé Shauna’s upcoming wedding.
“The happiest I’ve ever seen her was seeing Shauna in her wedding dress. Her patience, her kindness and her love will always be with me,” he said. A recording of Louise singing was played through the cathedral as mourners wept.
Cian also spoke of his father’s selflessness, recalling how Mark had given up his career after Evan’s autism diagnosis to return to education, and how he “found a home away” among members of North East Runners Dundalk. “Evan was a spark of joy,” Cian said, “and his smile would light up every room he entered.”
As tributes were brought to the altar, a pair of Nike running shoes symbolised Mark’s love of running, while a photograph of Louise in her nurse’s uniform reflected her “dedication and compassion.” A pair of Evan’s brightly coloured odd socks and his favourite Thomas the Tank Engine programme honoured the joy and colour he brought to life.
In his homily, Fr Campbell said news of the tragedy had sent shockwaves from county to county.
“Mark gave himself completely for the good of others,” he said. “He was a man of quiet integrity, deep conviction and steady purpose. Louise was full of life – talkative, warm, musical and compassionate. Her laughter, her care, her devotion to her family were expressions of a heart alive with love.”
Remembering Evan, he added: “In his love of holidays, of swimming, of his colourful odd socks and bright tee-shirts. His love of Thomas the Tank Engine […] theme parks, going with his Dad to the Park Runs. In all of this we see a young man who brought light and joy to those around him.”