Mother told murder accused to let brother go, court told
A man on trial for the triple murder of his family members told gardaí that his mother had pleaded with him to spare his younger brother. The accused, who has schizophrenia, is pleading not guilty by reason of insanity or guilty of manslaughter due to diminished responsibility.
Why it matters
The case highlights the intersection of mental health, substance abuse, and violent crime, raising questions about legal responsibility and psychiatric care.
A 32-year-old man accused of murdering three members of his family in their Co Louth home described to gardaí how his mother had asked him to let his younger brother with additional needs go as he held them by knife point, a jury has heard.
Robert O'Connor, of Drumgowna, Louth Village, Dundalk, Co Louth, has pleaded not guilty of murder by reason of insanity, or guilty of manslaughter on the basis of diminished responsibility to the triple murder of his mother Louise, 56, his father Mark, 54, and his younger brother Evan, 27, at their home between 28 and 29 September, both dates inclusive.
The Central Criminal Court jury has been told that the accused accepts he caused the death of the three victims.
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