Family fury over murderer Alan Hawe’s memorial mass

The family of a mother and three children slain by their father who then took is own life have stood guard over their grave while a priest held a memorial mass for their murderer. 

Father-of-three Alan Hawe from Castlerahan, Co Cavan killed his wife Clodagh and children Liam, 13, Niall, 11 and Ryan, six, with knives and a hatchet last year. 

The deputy school principal then cleaned out his joint bank account and transferred the cash to one in his name. He wrote three notes and then took his own life.  

Alan Hawe murdered his wife Clodagh and his three sons Liam, 13, Niall, 11 and Ryan, six with knives and a hatchet in County Cavan, Ireland in August last year

 Today’s mass was performed by Fr Felim Kelly, who was a close friend of Hawe. 

According to the Irish Mirror, ten members of Clodagh’s family arrived at the church ahead of the anniversary mass and took up position by the family grave. 

Inside the church, Fr Kelly said: ‘We gather here to pray for Alan Hawe a year after a thing happening… an evil thing happened.

‘We pray for two families who are struggling with their grief. We pray too for Clodagh, Liam, Niall and Ryan. They are at peace in their father’s house.’ 

Hawe was initially buried alongside his family despite killing them, although he was exhumed in May. 

The killer’s parents Olive and Stephen attended the brief service along with other family members and a few friends. 

Hundreds of mourners stood in silence outside St Mary's Church in Castlerahan, Co Cavan, where the family were laid to rest after a funeral mass last year. But Alan was removed from the grave after relatives complained 

Hundreds of mourners stood in silence outside St Mary’s Church in Castlerahan, Co Cavan, where the family were laid to rest after a funeral mass last year. But Alan was removed from the grave after relatives complained 

Today's service was carried out by Fr Felim Kelly who was a close friend of Alan Hawe's 

Today’s service was carried out by Fr Felim Kelly who was a close friend of Alan Hawe’s 

Alan Hawe, left, murdered his three sons and his wife Clodagh in an attack in Cavan last year

Alan Hawe, left, murdered his three sons and his wife Clodagh in an attack in Cavan last year

Although some locals believed the memorial service for the killer should not have taken place. 

They also criticised Fr Kelly for mentioning the victims by name while praying for their murderer father.   

A friend of the family said the mass for the ‘murdering monster’ is ‘distasteful, disgusting and sick’, adding: ‘Clodagh and the boys should be left in peace. It took long enough to have that evil b****** removed from the family grave.’ 

For confidential support, call the Samaritans on 116123 or visit a local Samaritans branch, see www.samaritans.org for details. 

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