St Patrick’s Church in Dundalk was filled with mourners this morning as the funerals of Mark, Louise, and Evan O’Connor took place. The three family members were found dead at their home in Co Louth last week, reports RTE.
At the ceremony, Cian O’Connor offered a heartfelt tribute to his mother, father, and younger brother Evan.
He said: “I know for many of you here today, what has happened is difficult to understand and put into words. No words can truly reflect how we all feel, how I feel, I’m hurting. We all are. It’s something that may take an age to come to terms with, and a part of each of us may never heal. However, while it’s difficult to comprehend, it’s not something that we should ignore or forget or allow to overshadow the wonderful lives of my family. Instead, my family would want to celebrate the rich lives they led, to remember the good times and to remember the memories they left behind,” reports RTE.
The remains of 54-year-old Mark, 56-year-old Louise, and their 27-year-old son Evan were discovered at the O’Connor residence in the Drumgowna area last week.
Cian also expressed gratitude to the local community for the kindness they had shown during the past few days.
He said: “I want to thank everybody here for being with us in this extremely difficult moment in our lives. The outpouring of support from you all has been immense. We’ve felt it to our very core. So thank you,” reports RTE.
Those attending at St Patrick’s Church applauded Cian following his emotional tribute.
During the Prayers of the Faithful, thanks were offered for Mark, Louise, and Evan’s “unique gifts,” and prayers were also said for Cian and Robert O’Connor, along with the wider family circle, reports RTE.
Fr Gerry Campbell, the parish administrator for Louth, was the main celebrant of the funeral.
The priest remarked that the expression of love for the O’Connor family had been “extraordinary”.
The joint funeral mass was also co-celebrated by several priests from nearby parishes, including St Patrick’s parish priest, Fr Mark O’Hagan, reports RTE.
Members of the North East Runners Athletics Club, of which Mark was part, formed a guard of honour as the three hearses and funeral procession entered the church grounds this morning.
In a tribute to one of Evan’s distinct characteristics, many in attendance wore mismatched socks, following a special request from the family.
A number of personal items were brought to the altar by relatives, symbolising the lives of Mark, Louise, and Evan, reports RTE.
For Mark, the items included: a pair of runners, a medal, a Boston running book, a Queen record, and a cookbook.
Louise was remembered with: a record by A-ha and choir sheet music, a cat collar, and a photograph representing her nursing career.
Evan’s keepsakes included: a holiday photo book, a pair of knotted odd socks (the last pair he knotted himself), a swimming cap, and a toy train from Thomas the Tank Engine, reports RTE.
During his homily, Fr Campbell said that Mark, Louise, and Evan were “united in love”.
He said: “What shines through every memory, every message, and every tear is the deep love that Mark and Louise had for each other, and the boundless love they both had for Evan – their son, their joy, their pride, and their world,” reports RTE.
Reflecting on Mark’s life, Fr Campbell described him as a “man of quiet integrity, of deep conviction, and of steady purpose.”
He said: “Mark knew what it meant to labour – not just in his work, but in his calling to justice and compassion. Whether it was through Inclusion Ireland, advocating for people with disabilities, or co-founding the ABACAS School, Mark gave himself completely for the good of others,” reports RTE.
Fr Campbell remembered Louise as someone who “cared for others with gentleness and humour, bringing comfort and joy to the people she met, whether in hospitals, or at the VHI call centre, or among friends in her beloved Local Vocals Choir”.
He added: “And above all, she loved Mark and Evan with every part of her being. She and Mark were soulmates, having first met in secondary school. She being a Saint Louis Girl, and he a De la Salle boy, two years her junior – they were partners in life and in service – a couple whose love overflowed into action, especially in their care for Evan and in their advocacy for other families living with autism,” reports RTE.
When speaking about Evan, Fr Campbell said “his joy was pure,” “his smile could light up a room” and “his love was unfiltered and wholehearted”.
Fr Campbell said: “When we think of Evan – his love of holidays, of swimming, of his colourful odd socks and bright tee-shirts. His love of Thomas the Tank Engine. His joy in going to the Hub Praxis in Drogheda, his love of theme parks, aqua aerobics, going with his Dad to the Park Runs…in all of this we see a young man who brought light and joy to those around him,” reports RTE.
Before concluding his homily, Fr Campbell called for stronger mental health supports.
He said: “Given that Mark devoted his life to advocating for the disability sector and for those in need, it would be remiss of me not to echo his spirit and appeal for greater care, compassion, and resources for mental health in our nation. We cannot bring them back – but we can honour them by ensuring that no other family has to walk this road alone,” Fr Campbell added, reports RTE.
A private cremation will take place after the funeral mass.
Robert O’Connor, 31, of Drumgowna, Louth Village, appeared in Drogheda District Court at a special sitting one week ago, facing three murder charges.
The court heard that he had been in contact with mental health services since the age of 22, and a request was made for him to undergo a full psychiatric evaluation, reports RTE.
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