Triple-murder trial: Evan O'Connor stabbed at least 70 times, pathologist tells Central Criminal Court

Chief State Pathologist Prof Linda Mulligan told the Central Criminal Court that Evan O'Connor suffered approximately 75 stab wounds, with defence-type injuries on his arms and hands.

Pathologist details sustained knife attack on autistic victim in Dundalk family murder trial

Robert O'Connor (32), of Drumgowna, Louth Village, Dundalk, Co Louth, stabbed his younger brother Evan at least 70 times, with the vast majority of injuries inflicted while Evan was still alive, the Central Criminal Court heard on Tuesday. Dublin Live reports that the evidence came from Chief State Pathologist Professor Linda Mulligan, who took the stand before a jury of six men and six women.

Robert O'Connor has pleaded not guilty of murder by reason of insanity, or guilty of manslaughter on the basis of diminished responsibility, in connection with the triple killing of his mother Louise (56), his father Mark (54), and his brother Evan (27) at the family home between 28 and 29 September 2025. The court has been told the accused accepts he caused the deaths of all three victims.

Postmortem findings

Prof Mulligan told prosecuting Senior Counsel Roisin Lacey that she conducted a postmortem examination on Evan O'Connor's remains on 30 September 2025. Evan, who weighed 90 kilograms, had been diagnosed with autism and was prescribed antipsychotic medication and antidepressants. Heavy blood-staining was present across his body, including on his hands and the soles of his feet. He was found dressed in blue and white shorts, also heavily blood-stained.

The pathologist identified 25 stab wounds to the head and neck, and five to the front of the body. One wound to the left side of the chest had entered the cavity between the ribs to a depth of 13 centimetres, stopping at the surface of the heart without penetrating it. A stab wound in line with the left ear had penetrated the skull bone and caused a defect inside, but had not damaged the brain.

Prof Mulligan found 10 stab wounds to the right arm, concentrated in a single area, and 19 to the left arm. Four wounds were recorded on the right leg and 11 on the left. She also identified 26 slash or incised wounds across the body.

Defence injuries consistent with struggle

The witness told the court that the injuries to Evan's arms were classical defence wounds. The wounds through the back of the hand on the right arm were consistent with Evan having possibly tried to grab the knife as it passed through. Many of the incised wounds on the palms and forearms were, she said, in keeping with a person protecting himself or attempting to seize the blade.

Prof Mulligan described the dynamic nature of the slash wounds to the arms, noting that people were moving about during the assault. Some of the incised wounds were likely caused by the blade entering and exiting the same stab tracks.

Cause of death

In total, Prof Mulligan counted approximately 75 stab wounds, though she noted some injuries were difficult to isolate individually because of intersecting wound tracks. She confirmed Evan had been stabbed at least 70 times.

Both lungs had collapsed, and the sac surrounding the heart had defects from two stab wounds, though the organ itself was uninjured. No major blood vessels in the chest were damaged, and there was no significant internal bleeding to indicate a rapid death. The lungs had not bled profusely into the chest cavity.

Prof Mulligan stated that the majority of the stab wounds measured between 2 and 4 centimetres in depth, while the deepest wound reached 15 centimetres. Moderate to significant force had been used to inflict the injuries that almost penetrated the skull bone, she said.

The cause of death was recorded as blood loss and probable bilateral pneumothoraces leading to hypovolemic shock and lung collapse from multiple stab and incised wounds. The witness described the overall assault as sustained and violent, saying the blood loss from the wounds would have led to shock, collapse, coma and death.

The trial continues before Mr Justice Mícheál P O'Higgins.

Source: Dublin Live