The quiet rural community of Drumgowna, just outside Tallanstown village in County Louth, Ireland, has been left reeling after the shocking deaths of three members of the well-known O'Connor family. On Monday morning, September 29, 2025, the bodies of Mark O'Connor, 54, his wife Louise, 56, and their 27-year-old son Evan were discovered at their family home, the apparent victims of a violent attack.
According to BBC News, Gardaí (the Irish police) responded to a call shortly before 10am and arrived at the O'Connor residence, where they found the three family members deceased. Superintendent Andrew Watters, speaking to the press, confirmed the gravity of the situation: "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." He added that a family liaison officer has been assigned to support surviving relatives as the investigation continues, and appealed for privacy for the family during this difficult time.
The tragedy quickly led to the arrest of Robert O'Connor, 31, the son and brother of the victims. He was apprehended about a mile from the crime scene, as reported by The Irish Times. On Tuesday evening, September 30, he appeared before a special sitting of Drogheda District Court, charged with three counts of murder. Garda Shane O'Malley, who gave evidence of the arrest, told the court that Robert O'Connor made no reply when the charges were put to him. Throughout the brief hearing, O'Connor remained expressionless, dressed in a grey sweatshirt and black tracksuit bottoms.
Details emerging from the investigation painted a harrowing picture. As The Daily Mail reported, the family had suffered a frenzied knife attack in the early hours of Monday morning. It was a care worker, regularly visiting the family, who made the grim discovery just before 10am. Post-mortems are being conducted at Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital in Drogheda to confirm the precise cause and time of death. Gardaí described the deaths as "violent," and investigations are ongoing.
Mark and Louise O'Connor were pillars of the local community. Mark, a regional manager at the National Advocacy Service for people with disabilities and a board member of Autism Support Louth and Meath, was described by friends as a devoted husband and father. Louise, a nurse, also taught English to Ukrainian refugees. Their son Evan, who was autistic and had additional needs, lived at home with them and attended Drogheda ABACAS Special School for 14 years. The school paid tribute to the family, stating, "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 fund-raised for the school and youth clubs and will always be remembered for their legacy to Abacas and to autistic people."
Just days before their deaths, Mark and Louise celebrated their 33rd wedding anniversary. Mark posted a photograph from their wedding day, writing, "There I am with Louise Doherty O'Connor 33 years ago today. Still very much in love." He added, "I am blessed to have been married to the wonderful Louise Doherty O'Connor all these years." The couple had recently celebrated paying off the mortgage on their home, and Mark's social media was filled with running achievements and affectionate selfies with Louise. Neighbours described the family as kind and gentle, with one telling the Irish Mirror, "We are just all devastated. The dad was such a lovely fella. You'd see him running on the roads every morning. He even completed the Boston Marathon earlier this year. The mother was also a lovely woman, she worked as a nurse, and the son, who was also killed, was a lovely lad. It's just so shocking and sad."
The community's grief was palpable. Dozens attended morning Mass at the Church of the Immaculate Conception in Louth village on Tuesday, with parish priest V. Rev Sijo John expressing the collective sorrow: "We are really sad to hear of the death of Mark, Louise and Evan. Our community is in deep sorrow. Let us bring their souls into the mercy of God. We are waiting on details of the funeral. Let us bring their souls into our hearts." One woman leaving the service remarked, "This is a small and tight-knit community. We are all shocked to our core. You don't expect something like this on your own doorstep."
In court, Robert O'Connor's defense solicitor, Paul Moore, requested a psychiatric assessment for his client, noting that Robert had been receiving mental health services since he was 22. Judge Stephanie Coggans granted the request, as well as free legal aid for a solicitor and one counsel. The court heard that there was no application for bail, as the District Court does not have the jurisdiction to grant bail in murder cases. Judge Coggans remanded Robert O'Connor in custody to appear again via videolink on Monday, October 6, 2025.
Sergeant Laura Blanche, representing the Director of Public Prosecutions, stated that the charges were brought following a directive from the DPP. Garda Shane O'Malley, providing evidence of the arrest, confirmed that Robert O'Connor made no reply when charged with each of the offences. The gravity of the charges was noted by Judge Coggans, who emphasized the seriousness of the situation and the need for a thorough psychiatric evaluation.
Superintendent Watters reiterated the importance of privacy and support for the O'Connor family during the ongoing investigation, stating, "An Garda Síochána will keep the family informed of the ongoing investigation and support them as they come to terms with this tragedy. I am appealing for privacy for the family at this time."
The O'Connors' legacy as tireless advocates for disability rights and as compassionate neighbours will not be forgotten. Their deaths have left a void in Drumgowna and beyond, with friends, neighbours, and colleagues mourning the loss of a family who gave so much to others. As the legal process unfolds and the community grapples with the aftermath, the memory of Mark, Louise, and Evan O'Connor endures as a testament to kindness, dedication, and resilience in the face of tragedy.
