‘My mother asked me to let Evan go’: Murder accused was asked to spare brother with special needs
A 32-year-old man is on trial for the murder of his parents and brother in County Louth, Ireland. The accused, who suffers from schizophrenia, admitted to the killings after a confrontation regarding his cocaine use.
Why it matters
The case highlights the intersection of mental health, substance abuse, and violent crime within family units.
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 special needs go as he held them at knifepoint, 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, over the killings of his mother Louise (56), his father Mark (54) and his younger brother Evan (27) at their home between September 28th and 29th, 2025, both dates inclusive.
The Central Criminal Court jury has been told the accused accepts he caused the deaths of the three victims.
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