'Terrible tragedy' says principal of local national school as family members named

The five family members found dead in a house in the Ballyjamesduff area today have been named. They are Alan Hawe, the deputy principal of Castlerahan National School; his wife Clodagh, who's originally from Mountnugent and their three sons - Liam (13), Niall (11) and Ryan (6).

Gardaí are investigating the discovery of the bodies at a house at Oakdene, Barconey, Ballyjamesduff earlier today and are treating the incident as a murder suicide.

The principal of Castlerahan National School, Anne Foley, issued the following statement via the Irish National Teachers' Organisation (INTO) in the last couple of minutes.

'At lunch time today (Monday, 29 August 2016) we learnt of the tragic deaths the Hawe family.

'This is a terrible tragedy for the family, our school and our community. We are deeply saddened by this event. Our sympathy and our thoughts are with the extended family and friends.

'Alan was a valued member of our school staff and community. Niall and Ryan were pupils in our school and Liam was a past pupil. They were wonderful children who will be greatly missed by all who knew them.

'Our school has implemented our Critical Incident Management Plan.

'Psychologists from the National Educational Psychological Service (NEPS) have visited the school and are supporting and advising our teachers in their efforts to assist our students in dealing with this tragic event. 

'The school will be open to parents to support them and to offer them advice and guidance.

'We would ask you to respect our privacy at this time. No further statement will issue at this time.'