A 31-year-old man, Robert O’Connor, has been formally charged with the murder of his parents and younger brother in a tragic incident that has shaken the rural community of Drumgowna, County Louth. The victims, identified as 56-year-old Louise O’Connor, her 54-year-old husband Mark O’Connor, and their 27-year-old son Evan O’Connor, were discovered dead at their family home on Monday morning. Irish police, known as Gardaí, described the deaths as “violent.”
Robert O’Connor appeared before a special sitting of Drogheda District Court on Tuesday evening, where he was formally charged with the triple homicide. The accused remained silent when the charges were read to him. Due to the severity of the case, no bail application was made, as the district court lacks the jurisdiction to grant such requests. Robert O’Connor’s solicitor, Paul James Moore, requested a psychiatric assessment for his client, which was approved by Judge Stephanie Coggans. The accused has been remanded in custody and is scheduled to appear again via video-link on Monday, 6 October.
The brief court hearing was attended by a family member, underscoring the emotional toll of the tragedy. Earlier, heartfelt tributes were paid to the deceased family members, who were well-regarded in their community. The case has drawn significant attention, with authorities continuing their investigation into the circumstances surrounding the deaths.