Tributes are being paid today to the three family members who were found dead at their Co Louth home on Monday.
Mark O'Connor, 54, his wife Louise O'Connor, who was 56, and their son Evan, who was 27, and who had additional needs, are believed to have been violently attacked at their home. A man in his 30s remains in garda custody over the incident.
Staff at Praxis Care, The Hub, where Evan attended for the past nine years, described him as "nothing short of a bright shining star".
In a statement, they said he attended Praxis Care every week and his "commitment and enthusiasm were so inspiring that he was recently recognised with an award for Health and Wellbeing".
They added: "Evan was such a bright, jolly young man with so much to offer life, always finding a way to cheer everyone up just by being around. He also had a knack for one-liners that never failed to make people laugh.
"We are heartbroken at his passing, along with his wonderful parents, Mark and Louise, who were always full of life and chat when collecting and dropping him off.
"Rest Easy Little Ev, Mark & Louise."
Passionate advocates
In a statement on social media, Drogheda Abacas Special School paid tribute to Mark and Louise as "founder parents" and Evan as one of its first two pupils.
"Both Mark and Louise were passionate advocates for their son Evan and for all autistic people.
"Mark was a board member of Autism Support Louth and Meath and was a professional advocate for the rights of people with disabilities in his career.
"Both Mark and Louise were instrumental in the setting up of Drogheda Abacas and many, many families owe them a debt of gratitude.
"They campaigned, lobbied and fund-raised for the school and youth clubs and will always be remembered for their legacy to Abacas and to autistic people."
It added: "Evan attended Abacas for 14 years. He grew up with us. There are so many moments to remember, so many stories from school and club we will tell each other especially over the next few weeks.
"Mark, Louise and Evan will always remain part of the Abacas family.
"May they rest in peace. Our sincere condolences and deepest sympathies to all family and friends."
'A blanket of prayer'
Church leaders have also paid tribute to O'Connor family.
In a statement, Archbishop Eamon Martin, Archbishop of Armagh, and Bishop Michael Router, Auxiliary Bishop of Armagh, said it was "with heavy hearts that we learned yesterday of the tragic and violent deaths of Mark, Louise and Evan O’Connor".
"This devastating news has shaken the entire local community and, indeed, the whole country," they said.
The Bishops said that words were "insufficient to capture the pain and shock of such loss" but assured the wider community that "they are surrounded by a blanket of prayer at this most difficult time".
Meanwhile, the administrator of the parish of Louth described the deaths of the O'Connors as "numbing".
Speaking on RTÉ's Morning Ireland, Fr Gerry Campbell said that people in the area are shocked and devastated.
He said that it is a very close-knit community and when a tragedy like this comes so close geographically, "it's beyond words. It beggar's belief".
Fr Campbell said neighbours of the O’Connors described them as "a close-knit family and Mark and Louise were a lovely couple and they were totally devoted to Evan".
He said Mark O'Connor was well-known in running circles, and that "people would have seen him many times running the roads around Stonetown and the local GAA pitch".
Fr Campbell said that the community is keen to hold a vigil to pray for the family "and to support each other in grief, because it has an effect towards the whole community, but particularly, of course, to the family".
'Integral part of their community'
Garda Superintendent Andrew Watters said today that the O'Connors are a very well-known and respected family.
"They are good neighbours and an integral part of their local community in Drumgowna and the wider area of Louth and Monaghan," he said.
Supt Watters said gardaí are keeping the family "informed of the ongoing investigation and support them as they come to terms with this tragedy. I am appealing for privacy for the family at this time".
"An Garda Síochána will also closely support the local community in the Drumgowna area over the coming days as they come to terms with the violent death of their neighbours," he said.
'Enthusiasm and dedication'
Rory Mulholland is the Chair of North East Runners, he said Mark joined the club in 2018 and quickly became an active an valued member.
Mr Mulholland said Mark had competed across road, track and cross country with "enthusiasm and dedication".
He said everyone would look forward to running with Mark and that he was "just so easy to relate to and talk to".
"His kindness was valued by the whole club. He was good - he was dedicated to his training, he ran the Boston Marathon and he was training for the Dublin Marathon. He had just competed his longest run on Sunday. He picked up running in his mid forties and he trained to a high level," he said.
