Murdered Louth trio: Joint funeral planned for Tuesday

Flowers at the scene in Dromgowna, outside Tallanstown village after three members of the same family were found dead (Niall Carson/PA) Niall Carson

A married couple and their adult son killed in their home in Co Louth will have a joint funeral on Tuesday. The bodies of Mark O'Connor, 54, Louise Doherty O'Connor, 56, and their son Evan, 27, were discovered at the family's home in Dromgowna, outside Tallanstown village, on Monday morning.

Evan had additional needs and was described as the couple's "beloved son" in an online funeral notice. The family is survived by sons Cian and Robert, along with Cian's fiancé Shauna and her family, as well as the O'Connor and Doherty families and many friends.

Victims remembered for community contributions

Mark O'Connor was well-known for his love of running and served as a "cherished member" of North East Runners Dundalk. He was remembered for "passionately working for disability advocacy through his career".

Louise was "known by all as kind" and spent many years working as a nurse while volunteering in the community. She was also a valued member of the Ardee Local Vocals singing group.

Evan was "cherished by all who knew him in the community" during his time at ABACUS School in Drogheda and the Praxis Hub Network in Drogheda. The family described him as an inspiration to many in his "short but full life".

Funeral arrangements and special requests

The funeral mass for all three family members will be held at St Patrick's Cathedral in Dundalk on Tuesday morning. Instead of flowers, the family has requested donations be made to The Hub Praxis Care in Drogheda and Drogheda ABACUS School.

The donation request is "reflecting Mark and Louise's care and generosity to others and the inspiration to many that Evan had become in his short but full life". Mourners have been asked to wear odd socks in honour of one of Evan's individualistic traits in the days leading up to and including the funeral.

Robert O'Connor, 31, of Drumgowna, Louth Village, appeared before a special sitting of Drogheda District Court last Tuesday. He was charged with murdering his brother and his parents.

Sources used: "PA Media" Note: This article has been edited with the help of Artificial Intelligence.