Relatives’ fury over murderer’s memorial service in church

A man who murdered his wife and three sons will be given a memorial mass at the same church where his victims are buried. 

Deputy school principal Alan Hawe killed himself after slaughtering his schoolteacher wife Clodagh and their children Liam, 13, Niall, 11, and Ryan, six, with knives and a hatchet in County Cavan, Ireland in August last year.

Now it has emerged that the savage murderer will be given a mass at St Mary’s Church in Castlerahan.

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

Speaking to Belfast Live, the Very Rev Fr Francis Kelleher – parish priest for the Kilmore Diocese – said: ‘Everyone has a right to be prayed for. We will leave it at that.’ 

It comes after Alan’s body was exhumed from a family plot at the church because the mother and sister of his murdered wife repeatedly requested that the victims be separated from their killer. 

The priest believed to be lined to perform the mass – Fr Felim Kelly – was a close friend of Alan’s and originally arranged for him to buried with his family. 

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 

The priest believed to be lined to perform the mass - Fr Felim Kelly - was a close friend of Alan's and originally arranged for him to buried with his family. Pictured: The family home in Ireland 

The priest believed to be lined to perform the mass – Fr Felim Kelly – was a close friend of Alan’s and originally arranged for him to buried with his family. Pictured: The family home in Ireland 

Now it has emerged that the savage murderer will be given a mass at St Mary's Church in Castlerahan tonight. Pictured: Alan and the boys he murdered

Now it has emerged that the savage murderer will be given a mass at St Mary’s Church in Castlerahan tonight. Pictured: Alan and the boys he murdered

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.’

The friend also accused Fr Kelly – who was absent from a mass for Alan’s victims on Sunday – of caring more for Alan than for the people he killed.

But Diocesan Secretary for Kilmore, Fr Donal Kilduff, explained that it is a custom to say mass for a parishioner. 

He added: ‘The anniversary mass is offered, not to glorify the deceased, but to implore God’s mercy for them.’ 

He said the family continues to receive support from priests.

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

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