A 31-year-old man has appeared in court charged with the murder of his parents and brother at their family home in Ireland.
Robert O’Connor, of Drumgowna in Louth village, was brought before a special sitting of Drogheda District Court following the deaths of his mother Louise (56), father Mark (54), and brother Evan (27) on Monday morning.
During the hearing, O’Connor’s solicitor, Paul James Moore, told the court that his client has been receiving mental health support since the age of 22 and requested a psychiatric assessment. He also applied for legal aid, which the judge granted, approving one solicitor and one barrister.
The victims were found after a care worker who regularly visited the family made the grim discovery shortly before 10 a.m. Mark was found in a pool of blood at the gate, Evan was lying outside at the side of the house, and Louise was found inside the property.
It is believed that Mark and Evan may have attempted to flee for help but were fatally attacked before they could escape.
Mr. O’Connor was arrested approximately a kilometre from the scene. A source said he was calmly walking along the road and made no attempt to evade gardaí. It is alleged his hands were covered in blood, although his clothes appeared clean, leading investigators to suspect he changed after the killings.
According to The Irish Independent, O’Connor reportedly told a local resident after leaving the scene: “I’m sorry for all the screaming and shouting. It’s over now.”
Garda Shane O’Malley of Drogheda Garda Station told the court that O’Connor made no response when the charges were read to him.
Judge Stephanie Coggans ordered a psychiatric evaluation and remanded O’Connor in custody to appear again via video link on Monday, October 6.
