Parents and Son Fatally Stabbed in Their Home Weeks After Celebrating 33rd Wedding Anniversary, Suspect Arrested

A family of three was killed in their home in Ireland, just weeks after the husband and wife celebrated their 33rd wedding anniversary. 

Mark and Louise O’Connor were identified as the couple who were stabbed to death in their Louth home while caring for their adult special needs son, Evan O’Connor, who was also killed, the Irish Times, the Irish Independent and the BBC reported Monday, Sept. 29. 

According to local outlets, Gardaí, the state police force of the Irish Republic, arrested a man in his 30s in connection with the murders. His identity was not publicly revealed, and a motive was not disclosed. 

It is unknown whether or not the suspect has retained an attorney.

PEOPLE did not immediately receive a response for comment from Garda Síochána, the national police and security service of Ireland.

Police reportedly arrived at the scene around 10 a.m. local time on Monday, Sept. 29, after a care worker arrived at the O’Connor home and found Mark’s body at the front gates of the property, per the Irish Independent.

Evan was later discovered on the side of the house, and Louise was found in a room upstairs.

Justice Minister Jim O’Callaghan said there was no further threat to the public following the “criminal act,” and authorities believe the suspect acted alone, the Irish Independent reported.

“I am conscious that it is a developing story and it is a sensitive issue but there is no further information I can put into the public domain at present,” he said in a statement obtained by the outlet. “I think further information will become available in due course.”

Minister O’Callaghan continued, “What I can say and what gardaí have said is that they are not looking for anyone else in respect of this criminal act. There is no ongoing threat to the public in Co Louth.”

Per the Irish Times, the couple celebrated their 33rd wedding anniversary on Sept. 12. According to the outlet, the husband and father marked the special occasion by posting a photo of himself and Louise on social media, saying they were “still very much in love,” and had recently paid their home’s mortgage off in June.

Both were in their 50s, and Evan was in his 20s, the Irish Independent reported, adding that the couple’s son had autism.

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The family’s home was sealed off as authorities investigated, with Gardaí saying post-mortem examinations were scheduled to take place at Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital in Drogheda on Tuesday, Sept. 30, the BBC reported.

According to The Journal, Mark worked for the National Advocacy Service, an organization that provides support for people with disabilities, while Louise was a qualified nurse, who taught English to Ukrainian people living in Ireland.