How do you even begin to fathom a tragedy like this?

Gardaí are still trying to pinpoint a motive for the horrific murder-suicide of the Hawe family in Ballyjamesduff, Co Cavan at the weekend. The bodies of Alan and Clodagh Hawe, and their three young sons Liam (aged 13), Niall (11) and Ryan (6), were discovered at their home in Barconey, Ballyjamesduff, yesterday morning. Authorities are certain that the father, Alan Hawe, a local school vice principal, killed his family before taking his own life. The Independent is reporting this morning that the three children were in their pyjamas when they died, and that Alan Hawe used a knife and a hatchet as the murder weapons. https://twitter.com/ArchbishopEamon/status/770367847730188288 The paper also has learned that the person who found a note at the back door of the home warning not to come in but to call the guards instead was Clodagh Hawe's mother, who was scheduled to babysit the kids that day. The Times says that the Gardaí have taken "a sealed note" from the family house that they hope will shed some light on what drove Alan Hawe to commit such an unimaginable crime.

"Gardaí are trying to determine whether Mr Hawe’s mental state had deteriorated suddenly as the beginning of the new school year approached and are hopeful his colleagues can assist in that regard," the Times reports.

Sources told the Times that "Mr Hawe did not have a history of known mental health problems and that his actions were a 'bolt from the blue'." Deputy State pathologist Dr Michael Curtis is expected to complete the post-mortem exams on the bodies today, and the family's relatives will then be briefed. The report should indicate the injuries suffered by the victims, and also establish the time of their deaths. You can call The Samaritans any time of the day on 116 123, or email jo@samaritans.org.