Ireland

Republic to review how it deals with domestic murders after Clodagh Hawe case

Alan Hawe brutally murdered Clodagh Hawe and the couple's three children, Liam (14), Niall (11), and six-year-old Ryan, in their Ballyjamesduff home in August 2016
Alan Hawe brutally murdered Clodagh Hawe and the couple's three children, Liam (14), Niall (11), and six-year-old Ryan, in their Ballyjamesduff home in August 2016 Alan Hawe brutally murdered Clodagh Hawe and the couple's three children, Liam (14), Niall (11), and six-year-old Ryan, in their Ballyjamesduff home in August 2016

PLANS to overhaul how authorities in the Republic support families who have lost loved ones to domestic homicides were approved yesterday in the wake of outcry over the Clodagh Hawe case.

Justice minister Charlie Flanagan announced the creation of specialist research to review how the state deals with such murders.

Earlier this year, Mr Flanagan met the mother and sister of Mrs Hawe (39), who along with her three young sons, Liam (14), Niall (11) and six-year-old Ryan, were murdered by her husband Alan in Co Cavan in August 2016.

Her family have been highly critical of the Garda's handling of the case and say they are still seeking answers about the lead-up to the horrific killings.

They want access to Garda files and changes in the laws and practices around similar investigations in the future.

Following an appearance by Mrs Hawe's mother Mary Coll and sister Jacqueline Connolly on RTÉ'S Claire Byrne Live show in February, there has been mounting pressure on the government to act.

The new review will examine the way state services support to close family members of those who die in domestic homicides and international best practice on the issue.

Law reforms are expected following consultation with state agencies, family members of victims and non-governmental organisations.

This review process is expected to take 12 months to complete before legislation can be changed.

Mr Flanagan said he wants "to ensure clear protocols and guidelines are in place so the state can provide all appropriate supports and do so in an appropriate and timely manner".

In a social media post, Ms Connolly said she hopes the study's findings will lead to "societal change which more strongly holds the perpetrator to account for their actions, rather than implying they lost control or wrongly attributing them solely to mental health difficulties".