{
  "id": 12693671,
  "title": "Man pleads not guilty to murder of brother and parents",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/07/man-pleads-not-guilty-to-murder-of-brother-and-parents",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-10-07T19:16:35.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "RTE News",
    "slug": "rte-news",
    "url": "https://www.rte.ie/news/ireland/2026/1007/1594477-robert-oconnor-court/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "On September 28-29, 2025, a 32-year-old man from Louth, Robert O Connor, pleaded not guilty by reason of insanity to the triple murder of his mother Louise O Connor, his father Mark O Connor, and his younger brother Evan O Connor. The Central Criminal Court judge presiding over the case, Ms Justice Siobhan Lankford, warned the jury that the evidence may be difficult or distressing. The accused was arraigned on three counts of murder and informed the jury that the case involves members of the accused's family. The judge emphasized the importance of the jury's impartiality and informed them of the anticipated trial duration of three weeks. The prosecution is led by senior counsel Roisin Lacey, while Michael Bowman SC is handling the defense. A jury of six men and six women was sworn in to begin the trial the following afternoon.",
  "summary": "A 32-year-old man has pleaded not guilty by reason of insanity to murdering three members of his family at their home in Co Louth last year.",
  "key_points": [
    "Robert O Connor pleads not guilty by reason of insanity to triple murder on September 28-29, 2025",
    "Mother Louise, father Mark, and brother Evan O Connor killed in the alleged crime",
    "Judge warns jury of potentially distressing evidence in the three-week trial"
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}