Mother, father and autistic son suffered violent deaths, gardaí say

Three members of a family who were found dead at their home in Drumgowna, County Louth, suffered “violent” deaths, gardaí (Irish police) have said.

They confirmed the victims’ names as Louise O’Connor, who was 56, her 54-year-old husband Mark O’Connor and their 27-year-old son, Evan O’Connor.

Supt Andrew Watters told reporters that it was a homicide incident and post-mortem examinations were due to begin on Tuesday.

A man in his 30s has been charged in connection with the deaths, but details of the charge will not be disclosed until he appears in court later on Tuesday.

The O’Connor family are “very well-known and respected,” the officer told reporters who had gathered at Drogheda Garda Station.

“They are good neighbours and an integral part of their local community in Drumgowna and wider area of Louth and Monaghan,” he said.

Officers will support their surviving family members “as they come to terms with this tragedy”, he added.

Supt Watters added they would also support the Drumgowna community “as they come to terms with the violent death of their neighbours”.

Gardaí, including an armed response unit, were called to the house shortly before 10:00 local time on Monday.

The property is on a rural road in Drumgowna, near the villages of Killanny, Louth and Tallanstown, and is close to the County Louth/Monaghan border.

Evan was autistic and since he became an adult nine years ago he attended The Hub daycare centre in Drogheda five days a week.

Irish broadcaster RTÉ said it understood the bodies were found by a staff member who had called to the family’s home to take Evan to the centre.

It also said gardaí had ruled out the use of a firearm during the incident.

The Hub day care is run by Praxis Care and in a statement, its staff said they were “heartbroken” by the family’s deaths.

“Evan, our little buddy, was nothing short of a bright shining star, loved and adored by all the staff in The Hub,” their statement said.

They described him as a “bright, jolly young man with so much to offer life”.

They added he loved to sing and “had a knack for one liners that never failed to make people laugh”.

Mr and Mrs O’Connor actively campaigned for better services for autistic people in their community.

In 2003, they were among a small group of parents who helped to set up Drogheda Abacas Special School in County Louth and Evan was one of its first pupils.

On its Facebook page, staff at the school paid tribute to the family, expressing the “deepest sadness” over their deaths.

“Evan attended Abacas for 14 years. He grew up with us,” the school said.

It added that Mr and Mrs O’Connor were “passionate advocates for their son Evan and for all autistic people”.

“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.”

The school said Mr O’Connor was also a board member of Autism Support Louth and Meath and worked as a “professional advocate for the rights of people with disabilities”.

Since 2021, Mr O’Connor worked as a regional manager in Ireland’s National Advocacy Service, which supports adults with disabilities.

“Mark was known to us all as a true gentleman in the way he treated those around him,” its national manager Joanne Condon said.

“His warmth, generosity of spirit and professionalism touched countless lives within our workplace and beyond.”

Ms Condon said he was passionate about human rights and had a “particular interest” in giving disabled people a voice in decisions that affected their lives.

She described him as a “kind, thoughtful and valued colleague” and said her staff “will greatly miss his friendship”.

Mrs O’Connor was a carer for her son Evan and also volunteered and raised money for charities.

Taoiseach (Irish Prime Minister) Micheál Martin expressed his “deepest sympathies to the wider O’Connor family and community at the appalling killings”.

He added that it was a “really sad and shocking event and our thoughts are with all concerned”.

The leader of the Catholic Church in Ireland, Archbishop Eamon Martin, and the Auxiliary Bishop of Armagh, Michael Router, sent their “heartful sympathy”.

“This devastating news has shaken the entire local community and, indeed, the whole country,” they said in a joint statement.

“Words are insufficient to capture the pain and shock of such loss, but we want them to know that they are surrounded by a blanket of prayer at this most difficult time.”

A few years ago, the family adopted a pet dog from the Louth Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA).

Fiona Squibb from the organisation got to know the O’Connors personally and described them as “joyful” people who were “selfless” with their time.

“If you’re feeling down, meeting them on a bad day was a good thing because they would just up your spirits immediately,” she told BBC News NI.

“We’re all devastated. They were just such nice people and they were very giving people.”

Ms Squibb said the couple “were always putting themselves forward for volunteering jobs” and were “great supporters” of their charity.

She added that Evan loved visiting Louth SPCA and she remembers him “running through the gate and flying down to have a look at all the animals”.

“His dear love was the animals and I’m sure that came from his mum and his dad.”

North East Runners Dundalk, of which Mr O’Connor was a member, expressed “immense sadness and shock” over the deaths.

“His commitment to the sport was an inspiration to us all,” the club said, in a statement.

It added that his “kindness and spirit enriched our entire community” and his family will be “deeply missed by all your club mates”.

The club said it would be “organising a way for members to come together and support one another in the coming days”.

Gardaí have set up an incident room at Ardee Garda Station and have appealed for anyone with information about the deaths to contact them.

They have also appointed a family liaison officer to support relatives of the deceased and keep them informed about the investigation.