A quiet, leafy village in Co Louth became centre of an internationally-followed alleged triple murder earlier this week, as deserted roads were quickly replaced with multiple police cars and forensics crews
Monday morning started like any other week in the quiet Louth Village, which is just outside Tallanstown.
But, shortly before 10am, local Gardai received a call that three people had been “violently” stabbed to death. A care worker is believed to have made the grim discovery after going to collect a man called Evan, 27, who had additional needs. Instead, they found a bloody scene, with two bodies on the driveway of the property, and one in the kitchen.
Gardai – Irish police – confirmed a man in his 30s was arrested and taken into custody shortly afterward. It would later confirm that three people suffered “violent deaths” at the home, and they had been an “integral part of their local community”.
Robert O’Connor, 31, appeared in court on Tuesday evening, charged with the murder of his parents Mark, 54, and Louise, 56, as well as brother Evan.
What happened in Co Louth?
The bodies of Mark, Louise and Evan were discovered early on Monday morning, shortly before 10am. Gardai said it was responding to an incident at a “domestic residence” at Drumgowna, Tallanstown, Co Louth.
Superintendent Andrew Watters said: “On arrival at the house, uniform gardai discovered Mark O’Connor, 54, Louise O’Connor, 56 and their son Evan O’Connor, 27, deceased.
“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.”
Police were quickly at the scene, spotted surveying the area with a cordon blocking off traffic. They were stood in front of a quaint bungalow with perfectly-mowed grass either side of its pebbled driveway.
It had a striking red-framed front door, and two symmetrical red flowerpots lining the window ledges either side.
Forensics crews were later seen entering the home in white overalls and blue gloves.
A blue tent was later erected on the side of the home. An officer was also seen walking a small brown dog out of the home.
“Shortly after gardai arrived at the house yesterday morning, other responding gardai arrested a male nearby, aged in his 30s, in connection with this homicide incident,” added Supt Watters on Tuesday. “The male is currently detained at a garda station in the Louth area under Section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act, 1984.”
‘It’s over now’
Neighbours revealed the chilling interaction they had with the suspect before he was arrested. His hands were reportedly covered in blood after emerging from the home.
“I’m sorry for all the screaming and shouting,” he allegedly told neighbours. “It’s over now,” the Irish Independent reports.
It was also reported that Mark and Evan attempted to flee the scene in search of help when the killer struck.
The heartbroken family of Mark, Louise and Evan later set up a GoFundMe, and requested mourners to make donations to two organisations close to their hearts; The Hub Praxis Care Drogheda and Drogheda ABACAS School, where Evan had attended.
The family also asked mourners to “wear odd socks” over the coming days and when attending the viewing and funeral, in honour of one of Evan’s individual traits.
It was later revealed that the man charged with the triple murders was Robert – Evan’s brother, and Mark and Louise’s son. The court heard that he has been with mental health services since the age of 22.
He remained expressionless as he appeared in the dock on Tuesday, dressed in a grey coloured sweatshirt and black tracksuit bottoms.
Defence solicitor Paul Moore made an application for a psychiatric assessment for his client, and also an application for legal aid. He has been remanded in custody to appear again before Drogheda District Court on Monday morning, October 27 at 10.30am via videolink.
‘Ripples of grief across the parish’
Hundreds of people turned out for a candlelit vigil on Wednesday night, to remember the three family members killed.
The Catholic Archbishop of Armagh and Primate of All Ireland Eamon Martin was among those who joined prayers for Mark, Louise, and Evan.
Warm tributes were paid to all three and the impact they made, including Marks’ work for disability advocacy and Louise’s as a nurse, while Evan was described as cherished by all who knew him.
Flowers and messages expressing condolences were laid outside the garda cordon. Hundreds of people turned out at Stonetown Community Walking Track to remember them.
Prayers were led by Father Gerry Campbell, who described the community carrying a sorrow too heavy for words, adding that in a |quiet and tranquil corner of Co Louth, the loss of Mark, Louise and Evan has sent ripples of grief across our parish and across this land and into the hearts of all who have heard their story”. Hymns were also sung by those gathered.
‘Love of my life’
Mark and Louise had celebrated their 33rd wedding anniversary just a couple of weeks before their deaths. On September 12 , Mark posted a photo of the couple on their wedding day in 1992, captioning it: “There I am with Louise Doherty O’Connor 33 years ago today. Still very much in love,” accompanied by a lovestruck and heart emoji.
Mark’s social media page is filled with affectionate selfies of the couple, pictures of them at concerts, and images of him out running. He frequently referred to Louise as “the love of my life.”
In a birthday message to her last year, he wrote: “Lucky enough to have shared a fair few of the 55 years spinning around the sun with Louise Doherty O Connor, happy birthday hun”.
Another post reads: “I am blessed to have been married to the wonderful Louise Doherty O Connor all these years.”
On their wedding anniversary earlier this month, Louise also shared an old photograph of the couple signing their marriage documents.
Funeral arrangements have not yet been announced, but an emotional tribute was left for the family on RIP.ie.
It read: “Mark was well known for his love of running and was a cherished member of the local running club North East Runners Dundalk, while passionately working for disability advocacy through his career.
“Louise was known by all as kind, spent many years working as a nurse while also volunteering in the community and being a valued member of the Ardee Local Vocals singing group.
“Evan was cherished by all who knew him in the Community, during his time at ABACUS School in Drogheda and the Praxis Hub Network in Drogheda.
“Mark, Louise and Evan are survived by Cian and Robert. They are also dearly missed by Cian’s fiancé Shauna and her family, the O’Connor and Doherty families and many friends.”
You can donate to the GoFundMe in memory of Mark, Louise and Evan here