Irish Man Charged With Murder of Parents and Brother in Louth

A 31-year-old man has appeared in court charged with the murder of his parents and brother at their family home in Drumgowna, Louth village, Ireland.

Robert O’Connor was brought before a special sitting of Drogheda District Court on Monday following the deaths of his mother Louise, 56, his father Mark, 54, and his brother Evan, 27.

According to Gardaí, a care worker who regularly visited the household discovered the scene shortly before 10 a.m. Mark was found near the gate of the property, Evan was lying on the ground outside, and Louise was discovered inside the house.

O’Connor was arrested about a kilometre away. Witnesses reported he was walking calmly, with blood on his hands but wearing clean clothes, leading investigators to believe he had changed after the killings. Local reports suggest he told a neighbour, “I’m sorry for all the screaming and shouting. It’s over now.”

During the court hearing, Garda Shane O’Malley of Drogheda Garda Station stated that O’Connor made no reply when charged with the three murders.

Defence solicitor Paul James Moore told the court his client had been receiving mental health support since his early 20s and requested a psychiatric assessment. Judge Stephanie Coggans granted the request, approved legal aid, and ordered O’Connor to remain in custody until his next appearance by video link on Monday, October 6.