Tallanstown murders: Loving messages of couple killed with son in horror attack

A married couple killed alongside their son in a suspected triple murder shared doting messages to one another just days before the tragedy.

Mark and Louise O'Connor, aged in their 50s, and their son Evan, who was in his 20s, were fatally injured in a violent attackat their home in Tallanstown, Co Louth, on Monday morning. Gardai raced to the scene and sealed it off while forensic officers scoured the property, described as being in a 'quiet, rural area', for evidence. Officers later confirmed a man in his 30s was arrested and taken into custody and today said the three victims suffered "violent deaths".

Just days before the tragedy, Mark and Louise celebrated their 33rd anniversary. On September 12, the dad shared an image of the couple on their wedding day in 1992, writing: "There I am with Louise Doherty O'Connor 33 years ago today. Still very much in love," alongside a lovestruck and heart emoji.

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Mark, whose social media page is filled with loving selfies of the pair, snapshots of them at concerts, and photos of himself out running, repeatedly referred to Louise as "the love of my life." Wishing her a happy birthday last year, he wrote: "Lucky enough to have shared a fair few of the 55 years spinning around the sun with Louise Doherty O Connor, happy birthday hun". Another post reads: "I am blessed to have been married to the wonderful Louise Doherty O Connor all these years."

In June, he posted a photo of Louise collecting the deeds of their house from EBS, telling his friends they had just finished paying their mortgage. On their anniversary earlier this month, Louise also posted an old photo of the pair signing their wedding papers. Ms O'Connor frequently raised money for charities and promoted volunteering work in parts of the developing world, while Mr O'Connor worked for the National Advocacy Service - which provides advocacy for people with disabilities.

The man suspected of killing the trio reportedly emerged from the home after the attack with his hands covered in blood, before telling a neighbour: "I'm sorry for all the screaming and shouting. It's over now," the Irish Independent reports.

Ireland's Justice Minister Jim O'Callaghan confirmed gardaí - Irish police - were not looking for anyone else for questioning, and said there was no further threat to the public following the "criminal act". Officers said they responded to a call to attend a residential property shortly before 10am on Monday. "Three people - two males and one ­female [all adults] - were found deceased at the scene," Gardai said in a statement.

"The scene has been preserved for technical examination. The offices of the coroner and the state pathologist have been notified. A male, aged in his 30s, has been arrested and is currently detained at a station in the Garda North West Region under Section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act 1984."

In a fresh appeal for information, Garda Superintendent Andrew Watters said: “The O’Connor family are a very well known and respected family. They are good neighbours and an integral part of their local community in Drumgowna and the wider area of Louth and Monaghan.”

Mr O'Connor was described as a "lovely fella" by a stunned neighbour, who said the whole community is "devastated" after the tragedy. The local told the Irish Mirror: "We are just all devastated. The dad was such a lovely fella. You'd see him running on the roads every morning. He even completed the Boston marathon earlier this year. The mother was also a lovely woman, she worked as a nurse and the son who was also killed was a lovely lad." They added: "It's just so shocking and sad."

Another said: "Everyone is numb and in shock. Some other neighbours told me they heard shouting last night." Local councillor John Sheridan said the O'Connors were a well known and well liked family, who often took part in local community and sporting events.

Speaking about the tragedy, he said: "The [family's] property is between three small villages in Co Louth - Stonestown, Louth Village and Tallanstown so all three communities are very distressed and very shocked. Word started to filter through the villages around 10am this morning when emergency services came from Dundalk.

"This is the first time something shocking like this has happened in this quiet and peaceful area. There is a huge degree of shock and sadness in the area."

Gardai said the remains of the deceased had been removed from the scene and taken to Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital, where post-mortem examinations will be carried out today.

In a statement on social media, Drogheda Abacas Special School paid tribute to Mark and Louise as “founder parents” and Evan as one of its first two pupils. Both Mark and Louise were passionate advocates for their son Evan and for all autistic people.

“Mark was a board member of Autism Support Louth and Meath and was a professional advocate for the rights of people with disabilities in his career. Both Mark and Louise were instrumental in the setting up of Drogheda Abacas and many, many families owe them a debt of gratitude.

“They campaigned, lobbied and fund-raised for the school and youth clubs and will always be remembered for their legacy to Abacas and to autistic people.”

It added: “Evan attended Abacas for 14 years. He grew up with us. There are so many moments to remember, so many stories from school and club we will tell each other especially over the next few weeks. Mark, Louise and Evan will always remain part of the Abacas family. May they rest in peace. Our sincere condolences and deepest sympathies to all family and friends.”