At the Central Criminal Court on Thursday morning, defence counsel, Michael Bowman SC, said there is a “psychiatric dimension” to the case.

A married couple and their adult son were killed in their home in Co Louth and will have a joint funeral on Tuesday.

Father Gerry Campbell described a ‘sorrow too heavy for words’ being felt by the community who knew them.

A man in his 30s was arrested as part of the investigation and has since been charged.

Mark and Louise O’Connor, and their son Evan, were found dead at the family’s home in Dromgowna, outside Tallanstown village.