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| Louth: Mother, father and autistic son suffered violent deaths, gardaí say | Louth: Mother, father and autistic son suffered violent deaths, gardaí say |
| (32 minutes later) | |
| Evan O'Connor was found dead alongside his parents Mark and Louise O'Connor | Evan O'Connor was found dead alongside his parents Mark and Louise O'Connor |
| Three members of a family who were found dead at their home in Drumgowna, County Louth, suffered "violent" deaths, gardaí (Irish police) have 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 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. | 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. |
| Supt Andrew Watters told reporters that it was a homicide incident and post-mortem examinations will begin on Tuesday morning. | Supt Andrew Watters told reporters that it was a homicide incident and post-mortem examinations will begin on Tuesday morning. |
| 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". | 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". |
| The O'Connor family are very well-known and respected, the officer told reporters who had gathered at Drogheda Garda Station. | The O'Connor family are very well-known and respected, the officer told reporters who had gathered at Drogheda Garda Station. |
| "They are good neighbours and an integral part of their local community in Drumgowna and wider area of Louth and Monaghan," he said. | "They are good neighbours and an integral part of their local community in Drumgowna and wider area of Louth and Monaghan," he said. |
| Officers will support their surviving family members "as they come to terms with this tragedy", he added. | Officers will support their surviving family members "as they come to terms with this tragedy", he added. |
| Supt Watters added they would also support the Drumgowna community "as they come to terms with the violent death of their neighbours". | Supt Watters added they would also support the Drumgowna community "as they come to terms with the violent death of their neighbours". |
| O'Connor family were 'very well known' and 'respected' | |
| Bodies 'found by day care worker' | Bodies 'found by day care worker' |
| 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/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. |
| The family home in rural County Louth has been cordoned off for a forensic examination | 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. | 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. | 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. |
| 'Passionate advocates' for autism services | '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." |
| 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". | 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". |
| The house is in a very rural location | The house is in a very rural location |
| RTÉ's Marc O'Driscoll told the BBC's Good Morning Ulster programme the O'Connors 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. |
| '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 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 will 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 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. |