The family who died in tragic circumstances in County Louth have been described as “very popular people and very well regarded” in the local area. 

Shortly before 10 yesterday morning, Gardaí were called out to a property in Drumgowna, near Tallanstown. 

Once there, they found three people dead; a man and a woman in their 50s, along with a man in his 20s. 

The victims have since been named locally as Louise and Mark O’Connor and their son, Evan. 

On Newstalk Breakfast, Irish Times Crime and Security Editor Conor Lally described it as an “awful case”, adding that it is “very unusual” for a family of three to die in the same incident. 

 “What we know is that a caller to the property in the area of Drumgowna, which is about 5km from Tallanstown in County Louth, called out to the property at around 10 o’clock yesterday morning and came across the remains of these three people,” he said. 

“Mark and Louise O’Connor and their son, Evan, who had special needs. 

“So, the alarm was raised straight away; Gardaí rushed to the scene - including the armed response unit. 

“Because there were fears that the suspect was in the area and that he was armed.” 

Gardaí at the scene. Picture by: Sasko Lazarov/© RollingNews.ie.

Mr Lally added that it was not long before Gardaí made an arrest in connection to the O’Connors’ deaths. 

“The suspect for these killings was about one kilometer away on foot,” he said. 

“He appeared to be walking around the area for quite some time yesterday morning, before the alarm was raised. 

“He even stopped some local people and asked them could he get a lift into Tallanstown?

“It appears that these killings took place some hours before the alarm was raised.” 

Gardaí beside a media satellite van. Picture by: Sasko Lazarov/© RollingNews.ie.

Currently, the suspect, who is in his 30s, is detained at a Garda Station in the North Western Region for questioning. 

Gardaí have 24 hours to question him, at which point he must be charged or released. 

“We expect word on either him being freed or being charged by probably today, at the very latest, by 6pm,” Mr Lally said. 

“Really, Gardaí are now trying to establish the timeline of what happened here and why this man would want to kill the O’Connors. 

“He is known to them; he had previous interactions with the Gardaí.” 

The house in the Drumgowna. Picture by: Sasko Lazarov/© RollingNews.ie.

Mr Lally described the O’Connors as a “really popular family”, who had been resident in the area for many years. 

“Mark and Louise O’Connor had celebrated their 33rd wedding anniversary on 12th September,” he said. 

“In June, they had all celebrated paying off their last debt payment on their mortgage. 

“This was a couple who were very active in the local area; Mark was an athlete and took part in local park runs and often brought his family to them. 

“Louise was very active in local activities and she spent a lot of time raising funds for charity. 

“Also, promoting the idea of volunteering abroad; she also cared for her son Evan who had special needs. 

“So, a really well regarded family locally.

“Certainly, from the people I spoke to yesterday, they were very popular people and very well regarded. 

“They were described as people who would help anybody and do anybody a favour.” 

Anyone with any information has been asked to contact Drogheda Garda Station.

Main image:Mark and Louise O’Connor and their son, Evan.