Today marks the eighth anniversary of a crime that shocked not only Cavan but the entire country. Alan Hawe, a deputy principal at Castlerahan National School, murdered his 39-year-old wife Clodagh and their three children - 13-year-old Liam, 11-year-old Niall and 6-year-old Ryan - at their home in Barconey, near Ballyjamesduff. Alan then took his own life.
The house where Alan Hawe murdered his wife Clodagh and her three sons before taking his own life could be demolished, under plans lodged by Clodagh's family. Clodagh's grieving mum Mary Coll recently lodged an application with council planners to tear down the house, reports Anglo Celt.
The family envisions replacing the house with a landscaped memorial garden on the site, which is located near Ballyjamesduff in Co Cavan. Mary told Anglo Celt: “It can’t be left stand there forever the way it is, what it reminds people of. For all that it has taken from this world. I’ll never go near it, so it has to be something that’s easily maintained. We don’t ever want anyone to build a house on it again.”
It emerged in the Anglo Celt this week that there are plans to demolish the house where the murders took place, with a memorial garden to be built in its place. The application was lodged with council planners around six weeks ago by Clodagh's grieving mum Mary Coll. Northern Sound FM made contact with Clodagh's sister, Jacqueline Connolly, and she issued us a statement on behalf of herself and her mother, Mary Coll.
They said they noted a quote on Facebook yesterday, in response to the Anglo Celt article. They said you will always have keyboard warriors, but somebody said: 'Why would you demolish a perfectly good home?' Jacqueline and Mary said it's not a home - it's a murder scene and that is why it is being demolished. The family said it doesn't reflect the good times that happened in the house, so it needs to go.
The plan emerged on the eighth anniversary of the murder-suicide. On August 28, 2016, Clodagh and her three sons, 13-year-old Liam, Niall (11) and Ryan, aged six were found dead in their home. Alan, 40, left a note admitting he had murdered them and subsequently took his own life.
In the years since the horror murders, Clodagh's family has called for a full inquiry into the circumstances of the murders, a review of inherent laws, reform of how inquests are carried out and access to the Garda files on the case.
Minister for Justice Helen McEntee and Garda Commissioner Drew Harris are both being urged to publish a Serious Crime Review into the handling of the subsequent murder investigation. While it was finalised in 2023, it remains unpublished for “operational reasons”, despite repeated requests from Clodagh’s family members. The family has seen the report.
The family hope the memorial garden will be a place of peace and remembrance for Clodagh and her sons. They also hope it will serve as a reminder of the importance of supporting families affected by domestic violence. The family has also called for more to be done to prevent such tragedies from happening in the future.
The demolition of the house is a significant step for Clodagh's family. It is a way for them to move forward and begin to heal. They hope that the memorial garden will be a place where they can find peace and remember their loved ones.
A Place of Remembrance
Clodagh’s sister Jacqueline pledged to be there to see the house get knocked. She said: “I want to see it be demolished. It’s bittersweet in that we have so many happy memories happened in that house - Christmases, birthdays, christenings, communions.”
The family is hopeful that the memorial garden will be a place of peace and remembrance for Clodagh and her three sons. It will also be a place where they can share their memories and grieve together.
A Symbol of Hope
The memorial garden will be a symbol of hope for the family and for all those affected by domestic violence. It will be a reminder that even in the darkest of times, there is always hope for a better future.
A Call for Justice
Meanwhile, calls are growing for Justice Minister Helen McEntee and Garda Commissioner Drew Harris to publish a review into the murder investigation. Clodagh’s family also want a reopening of the inquest that took place in December 2017, to consider new information revealed since.
The family is hopeful that the memorial garden will be a place of peace and remembrance for Clodagh and her three sons. It will also be a place where they can share their memories and grieve together.
The 2017 inquest into the massacre heard that locally-respected Hawe was “stressed” about losing his position as a “pillar of the community”. The inquest did not address why Hawe committed the slaughter. But the Irish Sun exclusively lifted the lid on the reason why the deputy principal had feared “a fall from grace” before the horror murder-suicide. Speaking after the inquest into the deaths, Clodagh’s heartbroken relatives told of their huge disappointment that the inquest did not address why Hawe wiped out his family.
The family believes that a review of the investigation and a reopening of the inquest are essential to ensure that justice is served. They are hopeful that these steps will help to bring closure to this tragic case.
A Legacy of Love
Despite the tragedy that has befallen them, Clodagh's family remains determined to honor the memory of their loved ones. They hope that the memorial garden will be a lasting legacy of love and hope. They also hope that it will serve as a reminder of the importance of speaking out against domestic violence and seeking help when it is needed.
The family’s decision to demolish the house and build a memorial garden is a testament to their strength and resilience. It is a reminder that even in the face of unimaginable loss, love and hope can endure.
