Hawe inquests resume this morning

The inquest into the deaths of the Hawe family resumes this morning.

The depositions of some three witnesses are expected to heard today, with the lion's share of the evidence, including that of Deputy State Pathologist Dr Michael Curtis heard yesterday (Monday).

His post-mortem evidence detailed findings of a possible “defensive” struggle against Alan Hawe as he attacked wife Clodagh Hawe and her sons, Liam (14) and Niall (11) and Ryan (6) before taking his own life.

The body of Clodagh Hawe (nee Coll) was found lying face down on a sofa in the living room in her pyjamas and dressing gown. She had injuries to her head and neck, and two weapons were found nearby.

Those of Liam (14) and Niall (11) were found in separate single beds in one room upstairs, with that of Ryan (6) found in an adjacent bedroom. Another weapon was found on the pillow next to Ryan’s body. They had injuries to their necks, their duvets were pulled up, and there were no signs of life gardaí found on arrival.

The body of husband and father Mr Hawe (40) was also found at the family’s home at 3 Oakdene Downs in the townland of Barcony.

Their bodies were discovered August 29, 2016, after Clodagh's mother and grandmother to the three boys Mary Coll raised the alarm. She was the first witness to give evidence.

Mrs Coll raised the alarm after finding a note pinned to the inside of the backdoor saying “Don’t come in, call the gardaí”, and felt something “terrible” had happened. “I think Alan has done something terrible, that he had killed them all,” the inquest heard.

Verdicts on all five deaths are expected some time later today.