A man has appeared in court charged with murdering his father, mother and brother. 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, his father Mark and his brother Evan at their family home in Drumgowna on Monday morning.
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. Like all defendants, Mr O’Connor is presumed innocent unless convicted of a crime. Mark O’Connor, his wife Louise and their son Evan were all killed at the family home in the Drumgowna area of Co. Louth, 12km southwest of Dundalk.
Mark and Louise were in their 50s while Evan was in his late 20s. 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.’
