‘Fears of marriage break-up’ sparked slaughter of family
■ School vice-principal ‘executed’ wife and sons while silencing cries for help
A SCHOOL vice-principal killed his family and himself as he faced the prospect of his marriage breaking up, his wife’s relatives said.
Alan Hawe, his schoolteacher wife Clodagh, and their children Liam (13), Niall (11) and Ryan (6), were found dead in their home near Ballyjamesduff, Co Cavan, in August last year.
The 39-year-old father of three was also facing a “fall” from his position as a pillar of the community, his wife’s family said.
Ms Hawe (40), who was found in her pyjamas and dressing gown on the sitting room sofa, had suffered axe and stab wounds.
The boys, who were found upstairs in their beds, suffered stab wounds.
The inquest into their deaths yesterday recorded verdicts of unlawful killing in relation to Ms Hawe and the boys, and suicide in relation to Mr Hawe.
While the inquest at Cavan Coroner’s Court was restricted to establishing how, where and when the family members died, Ms Hawe’s mother and sister issued a statement afterwards which said the marriage between the couple was about to fail.
A solicitor for Mary Coll and Jacqueline Connolly said Mr Hawe targeted his wife and eldest son first for fear they may fight back.
On the steps of the courthouse, lawyer Liam Keane said the killings were premeditated and calculated.
“The inquest does not address why Alan Hawe committed this savagery but his counsellor has said that he was concerned about his position as ‘a pillar of the community’ and we are aware that he was concerned at his imminent fall from that position and the breakdown of his marriage,” said the statement.
While medical evidence suggested Mr Hawe suffered from worsening depression, Ms Hawe’s family said his GP, who knew him for five years, said he never displayed any signs of depression.
“On August 29, 2016, we lost our daughter and sister Clodagh and her lovely sons Liam, Niall and Ryan in the most horrific circumstances,” added the statement.
“They were savagely and brutally killed by Alan Hawe in a premeditated and calculated manner.
“It is clear from the evidence presented that Clodagh and the boys were killed in a sequence that ensured that the eldest and most likely to provide effective resistance were killed first, and that they were executed in a manner which rendered them unable to cry out for help.
“The inquest does not address why Alan Hawe committed this savagery.”
In returning its verdicts on the deaths of Mr Hawe, his wife and their three sons, the jury added one rider or recommendation.
“We have one rider, to raise awareness of mental health issues in the work environment,” said the foreman.
Mr Keane praised the work of gardaí in the case. He also extended thanks to family, friends and neighbours in Virginia, Co Cavan, and Ms Hawe’s friends and colleagues where she taught in Oristown, Co Meath.
“We are aware of all those affected by these killings, especially the friends of Liam, Ryan and Niall and their parents,” he added.
At the close of the hearing, coroner Dr Mary Flanagan said she had never been at an inquest where the foreman of the jury was almost brought to tears while trying to deliver the verdicts.
“I just want to express my deepest sympathies with the Coll and the Hawe families on this dreadful chain of events. There are no words to describe the upset that befell your family ... it’s unimaginable what you have had to endure.”
The foreman of the jury added: “We have no words either, other than to say that we are absolutely so sorry.”