A 31 year old man has been charged with the murder of three members of his family in County Louth. 

On Monday, the bodies of Louise and Mark O’Connor and their son, Evan, were found at their home in Drumgowna, near Tallanstown.

The couple have been described as “very popular people” in the local area, who would “help anybody and do anybody a favour”. 

Mark and Louise O’Connor and their son, Evan.

Their son, Robert O’Connor, was arrested that same day and questioned by Gardaí. 

On Tuesday evening, he was brought before a special sitting of Drogheda District Court yesterday evening, charged with murdering his three relatives. 

Gardaí outside the O'Connor family home. Picture by: Sasko Lazarov/ RollingNews.ie

“When he appeared before the court on Tuesday evening, Detective Garda Shane O’Malley gave evidence of arresting the accused for the purposes of charging him,” Irish Times Crime and Security Editor Conor Lally told Newstalk Breakfast.

“He told the court that he arrested Robert O’Connor at 4.43pm [on Monday] at Drogheda Garda Station for the purposes of charging him. 

“And when the charges were put to him at 5.45pm, the court was told that Robert O’Connor made no reply.” 

The O'Connor family home. Picture by: Sasko Lazarov/ RollingNews.ie.

Mr O’Connor’s solicitor also requested that his client receive psychiatric treatment while he was being held on remand. 

The court heard that he has been receiving treatment since he was 22. 

He was remanded in custody to appear again before Drogheda via videolink next week and driven away in a Garda van.

Main image: The O'Connor family. Picture by: An Garda Síochána.