A relative of the murdered Clodagh Hawe has made a public plea for mourners to remember Clodagh and to cease speculation about husband Alan.
Since the news of the tragic deaths of Clodagh Hawe, and her three young sons Liam, Niall and Ryan broke, reports have focused on the motives of father and school vice prinicpal Alan Hawe.
Clodagh Hawe was also a local teacher, and their three sons were aged just 13, 11, and 6.
The Independent reports that the family attended a Castlerahan GAA Club football match on Sunday, and that they were “in high spirits” after the club won the game.
The paper is also reporting that Alan Hawe left a note stuck to the back door of the family home warning the next visitor to call the Gardaí.
While many speculate that Alan suffered mental health difficulties, a relative of Clodagh’s has spoken out. According to The Irish Sun, he said “Alan is a killer. He killed Clodagh.”
The relative disputed claims of mental health issues and said:
“He was not an ill man who suffered years of mental torment.
“He was a man who meticulously controlled and planned every aspect of his evil deed.”
The relative also disputed reports that Clodagh was shy and quiet.
“She was a lovely, kind and funny girl when we were growing up — she loved people.”
“We don’t know why he did what he did.”
“Maybe she decided to leave him.”
“Maybe she got sick of her life with him.”
“I suppose the boys were that bit older and maybe she saw a way out,” he said.
The relative then articulated the danger in relating this tragedy to mental health difficluties.
“Mental illness is reaching epidemic proportions in Ireland and certainly more needs to be done to help those suffering from mental health difficulties no matter what they are.”
“However, while I concede that when Alan Hawe took up the implements he used to murder his family, he may not have been thinking logically, he was certainly not sane by normal standards.”
“But to eulogise him as some kind of saint who didn’t know what he was doing is grossly unfair to those who suffer day-in-day-out from mental illness yet somehow manage never to kill anyone.”
“Alan Hawe was a controlling, manipulative man, who appeared to those who knew him to be the perfect teacher, neighbour, husband and father.”
“To keep up that illusion over many years took skills not normally associated with those who have mental illness.
“Let’s not tarnish the mentally ill by associating them with such evil.”
He then pleaded with people again to remember Clodagh for who she was.
“Remember Clodagh — a mother, a daughter, a sister, a niece, cousin, teacher, friend, a wonderful woman who came face-to-face with evil and did not live to tell the tell.”
