The body of Alan Hawe, who killed his wife and three children in a murder-suicide at their family home in Cavan, has been exhumed from the grave they shared for the past 250 days.
Tragic victims Clodagh Hawe, and her children Liam, Niall and Ryan now rest peacefully without their killer buried beside them. Clodagh’s family fought for 8 months to have his body removed from the grave.
40-year-old Alan Hawe worked as a deputy principal at a primary school and was said to be a well respected member of the community.
Last August, in one of the most heinous crimes to shock the nation, Hawe was found dead at the family home in Co Cavan, along with his four victims, multiple bloodied weapons and suicide notes.
In one of his notes, Hawe requested his family be buried together, and his own body cremated with his ashes thrown at sea.
Sadly, Clodagh’s family were unaware of this request at the time, and amid their shock, utter devastation and isolation, the four victims became buried with their killer.
The shared burial shocked people all over Ireland, with others attempting to understand, and requesting sensitive treatment of the serious mental illness which surrounded such an act.
In March, authorities granted the exhumation of Alan Hawe’s body from the grave, which was carried out today by HSE associated Gardaí and Cavan County Council officials.
A vandalised ‘EVIL’ was also removed from the grave, and fresh flowers placed in remembrance of tragic Clodagh, Liam, Niall and Ryan.
Anyone affected by the incident or other incidents can contact the Samaritans on 116 123.