THE bodies of five members of a Co Cavan family killed in a murder-suicide by father Alan Hawe will be laid to rest following a funeral on Saturday.
The brutal murders of the Hawe children – 13-year-old Liam, Niall (11), and Ryan (6) – and their mother Clodagh (35) have stunned the town of Ballyjamesduff, where the family lived in the Oakdene Downs area.
The bodies of the three children, and their mother and father, were discovered at their home on Monday morning by a relative, and notes found at the scene indicate the killings were carried out by 40-year-old Alan before he took his own life.
It is understood Mr Hawe, who was vice-principal of Castlerahan National School and treasurer of a local GAA club, carried out the slayings of his wife and children using a hatchet and a knife, before he hanged himself.
Notes found at the scene are understood to indicate Mr Hawe faced work pressure at the school, where his two youngest sons were pupils. His wife was a teacher at Oristown National School in Kells, Co Meath.
Gardaí have said they are not seeking anyone else in relation to the deaths.
The last of the post mortem examinations on the bodies was carried out yesterday, and a report is now due from deputy state pathologist Dr Michael Curtis that will outline the extent of injuries, and indicate if the Hawe children – who were in nightwear at the time of their deaths – had been sedated before their murder.
Meanwhile, pupils and staff returning to Castlerahan and Oristown National Schools for the new term have been offered counselling from the National Educational Psychological Service.
Oristown principal Ann O’Kelly said: “This is a terrible tragedy for the families, schools, and the communities involved. Our sympathies and thoughts are with Clodagh’s family and friends.”
Details emerged yesterday of funeral arrangements for the Hawe family, with a single service to be conducted on Saturday afternoon by Fr Felim Kelly, at St Mary’s Church, Castlerahan.
All five members of the family will be buried afterwards in the church cemetery.
