Three family members killed in Co Louth home named locally
Gardaí questioning a man for the suspected killing of three family members in rural Co Louth are examining his medical history and recent behaviour to try and piece together what might have led to the deaths.
A number of items, including possible weapons, were removed from a house where the three bodies - two men and one woman - were found on Monday morning.
The deceased have been named locally as Louise and Mark O'Connor, who were in their 50s, and their son Evan, who was in his 20s.
It is not clear if all the victims were stabbed, if they died from blunt force trauma, or if it was the same cause of death for all three people. No firearms were used.
Sources said it must have been a “sustained and determined” attack in order to kill three adults.
The suspected killings are believed to have taken place at, or after, breakfast time, although it is yet to be determined what preceded the violence.
Gardaí have stressed that it is very early in their investigation, pointing out that officers first arrived at the scene just before 10am.
The remote house, a pretty cottage in a well-maintained site, is in a remote townland of Drumgowna, near Tallanstown, on the western side of the county. The family is well-known in the area.
Gardaí have said they are not looking for anyone else. Sources have said the case is “very raw” and “tragic”.
The suspect is understood to have a diagnosis of a serious psychiatric illness and was taking prescribed medication.
One line being examined by gardaí is whether or not he was taking his medication in recent days — and, if not, could that possibly be a factor.
A garda statement said: “Gardaí continue to investigate all the circumstances of a fatal incident at a residential property in Drumgowna, Tallanstown, Co Louth, this morning, Monday September 29, 2025.”
It said gardaí responded to a call to attend the residential property shortly before 10am.
“Three people — a male and a female in their 50s and a male in his 20s were found deceased at the scene,” the statement said.
“A male, aged in his 30s, has been arrested and is currently detained at a station in the garda northwestern region under Section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act, 1984.”
This allows for up to 24 hours in custody, excluding any medical consultations or sleep breaks.
The statement said the scene was the subject of an ongoing forensic examination by the Garda National Technical Bureau and that the Offices of the Coroner and the State Pathologist have been notified.
“The remains of the deceased have been removed from the scene to Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital, Drogheda, where post-mortem examinations will be conducted tomorrow,” it said.
The investigation is being conducted from an incident room at Ardee Garda Station and a senior investigating officer has been appointed.
A family liaison officer has been appointed to support and keep the family of the deceased informed.
An Garda Síochána appeals to any person with any information on this incident to contact the Garda Investigation Team by calling Drogheda Garda Station at 041 987 4200, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111, or any Garda Station.
