Thousands expected as Hawe family to be laid to rest today

Thousands of mourners are expected to pay their respects today at the funeral mass of the five members of the Hawe family who were found dead at their Ballyjamesduff home on Monday of this week, August 29.

Teachers Alan Hawe, wife Clodagh (nee Coll), and their three children Liam (13), Niall (11) and Ryan (6) will all be buried together following funeral mass in the adjoining cemetery.

Father Felim Kelly CC, will celebrate Requiem Mass today at 4pm in Saint Mary’s Church, Castlerahan.

The Catholic Communications Office has been advised: 'Out of respect for the solemnity of the Funeral Liturgy on Saturday – and as Saint Mary’s Church has a limited capacity – inside the church is reserved for family, loved ones and parishioners only. An external loud speaker, and a small reserved area for media cameras, will be available.'

State Pathologist Dr Michael Curtis, who attended the Hawe home at Oakdene, Barconey to assist with preliminary investigations, carried out post mortems on three of the bodies at the moturary in Drogheda on Tuesday.

Gardaí are treating the investigation as one of murder suicide. They have said they are not looking for anyone else in relation to the deaths, with Assistant Commissioner John O’Driscoll telling a press-briefing at Ballyjamesduff Garda Station: “We believe all the answers” in connection with the murders are contained within the Hawe family home.

Investigators are understood to have secured several notes and documents at the home that they hope will help them with their investigation.