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Louth: 'Deep sadness' as mother, father and son die Louth: Mother, father and autistic son suffered violent deaths, gardaí say
(32 minutes later)
The family home in rural County Louth was cordoned off for a forensic examination Evan O'Connor was found dead alongside his parents Mark and Louise O'Connor
A couple who were found dead alongside their adult son in County Louth were "passionate advocates" for autism support services, a special school has said. Three members of a family who were found dead at their home in Drumgowna, County Louth, suffered "violent" deaths, gardaí (Irish police) have said.
They were Mark and Louise O'Connor, a couple their 50s, and their son Evan who was in his 20s and was autistic. They confirmed the victims' names as Louise O'Connor, who was 56, her 54-year-old husband Mark O'Connor and their 27-year-old son, Evan O'Connor.
A man in his 30s is still under arrest after the three bodies were found at the family's home in Dromgowna, outside Tallanstown village, on Monday morning. Supt Andrew Watters told reporters that it was a homicide incident and post-mortem examinations will begin on Tuesday morning.
Mr and Mrs O'Connor helped to set up Drogheda Abacas Special School, where Evan was a former pupil, and the school expressed "deep sadness" at their deaths. A man in his 30s remains in custody and Supt Watters said gardaí were "not looking for any other person at this juncture in connection with this investigation".
"Both Mark and Louise were instrumental in the setting up of Drogheda Abacas and many, many families owe them a debt of gratitude," the school's statement added. The O'Connor family are very well-known and respected, the officer told reporters who had gathered at Drogheda Garda Station.
Post-mortem examinations will be carried out later on Tuesday to establish the cause of the deaths. "They are good neighbours and an integral part of their local community in Drumgowna and wider area of Louth and Monaghan," he said.
The scene has been cordoned off as it is understood they were attacked violently. Officers will support their surviving family members "as they come to terms with this tragedy", he added.
However, the justice minister has already said gardaí (Irish police) are not looking for anyone else over the incident and there was no ongoing threat to the public. Supt Watters added they would also support the Drumgowna community "as they come to terms with the violent death of their neighbours".
Bodies 'found by day care worker'Bodies 'found by day care worker'
The house is in the townland of Dromgowna in County Louth
Gardaí, including an armed response unit, were called to the house shortly before 10:00 local time on Monday.Gardaí, including an armed response unit, were called to the house shortly before 10:00 local time on Monday.
The property is on a rural road in Drumgowna near the villages of Killanny, Louth and Tallanstown and is close to the County Louth/County Monaghan border. The property is on a rural road in Drumgowna, near the villages of Killanny, Louth and Tallanstown, and is close to the County Louth/Monaghan border.
Irish broadcaster RTÉ said it understood the bodies were found by a staff member who had called to the family's home to take Evan to a day care centre. The family home in rural County Louth has been cordoned off for a forensic examination
Evan was autistic and attended a day care centre in Drogheda.
Irish broadcaster RTÉ said it understood the bodies were found by a staff member who had called to the family's home to take Evan to the centre.
It also said gardaí had ruled out the use of a firearm during the incident.It also said gardaí had ruled out the use of a firearm during the incident.
Evan 'grew up with us' says school 'Passionate advocates' for autism services
Mr and Mrs O'Connor actively campaigned for better services for autistic people in their community.Mr and Mrs O'Connor actively campaigned for better services for autistic people in their community.
In 2003, they were among a small group of parents who helped to set up Drogheda Abacas Special School in County Louth and Evan was one of its first pupils.In 2003, they were among a small group of parents who helped to set up Drogheda Abacas Special School in County Louth and Evan was one of its first pupils.
On its Facebook page, staff at the school paid tribute to the family, expressing the "deepest sadness" over their deaths.On its Facebook page, staff at the school paid tribute to the family, expressing the "deepest sadness" over their deaths.
"Evan attended Abacas for 14 years. He grew up with us," the school said."Evan attended Abacas for 14 years. He grew up with us," the school said.
It added that Mr and Mrs O'Connor were "passionate advocates for their son Evan and for all autistic people".It added that Mr and Mrs O'Connor were "passionate advocates for their son Evan and for all autistic people".
"They campaigned, lobbied and fundraised for the school and youth clubs and will always be remembered for their legacy to Abacas and to autistic people.""They campaigned, lobbied and fundraised for the school and youth clubs and will always be remembered for their legacy to Abacas and to autistic people."
It said Mr O'Connor was also a board member of Autism Support Louth and Meath and worked as a "professional advocate for the rights of people with disabilities". The school said Mr O'Connor was also a board member of Autism Support Louth and Meath and worked as a "professional advocate for the rights of people with disabilities".
'Frequently raised money for charities' The house is in a very rural location
RTÉ's Marc O'Driscoll told the BBC's Good Morning Ulster programme the O'Connors were a "well-known and highly regarded family" who played an active role in the community. RTÉ's Marc O'Driscoll told the BBC's Good Morning Ulster programme the O'Connors played an active role in the community.
"Mr O'Connor worked for the National Advocacy Service which provides support for people with disabilities," he said."Mr O'Connor worked for the National Advocacy Service which provides support for people with disabilities," he said.
"Mrs O'Connor frequently raised money for charities and also promoted volunteerism in parts of the developing world.""Mrs O'Connor frequently raised money for charities and also promoted volunteerism in parts of the developing world."
In addition to charity work, Mrs O'Connor was a carer for her son Evan.In addition to charity work, Mrs O'Connor was a carer for her son Evan.
The reporter added that Mr O'Connor was a "keen runner" who had taken part in marathons and the family were involved with their local park run.
'An inspiration to us all''An inspiration to us all'
North East Runners Dundalk, of which Mr O'Connor was a member, expressed "immense sadness and shock" over the family's deaths. North East Runners Dundalk, of which Mr O'Connor was a member, expressed "immense sadness and shock" over the deaths.
"His commitment to the sport was an inspiration to us all," the club said in a statement. "His commitment to the sport was an inspiration to us all," the club said, in a statement.
It added that his "kindness and spirit enriched our entire community" and his family would be "deeply missed by all your club mates". It added that his "kindness and spirit enriched our entire community" and his family will be "deeply missed by all your club mates".
The club said it would be "organising a way for members to come together and support one another in the coming days".The club said it would be "organising a way for members to come together and support one another in the coming days".
Gardaí have set up an Incident Room at Ardee Garda Station and have appealed for anyone with information about the deaths to contact them. Gardaí have set up an incident room at Ardee Garda Station and have appealed for anyone with information about the deaths to contact them.
They have also appointed a family liaison officer to support relatives of the deceased and and keep them informed about the investigation. They have also appointed a family liaison officer to support relatives of the deceased and keep them informed about the investigation.