The family of Clodagh Hawe, who along with her three children, was murdered by her husband want a new inquiry into their deaths.
Ms. Hawe, as well as Liam (13), Niall (11) and Ryan (6), were found dead in their Cavan home in August 2016.
In an interview last night on RTE's Claire Byrne Live, Clodagh's mother Mary Coll and sister Jacqueline Connolly said they want the Garda files on the investigation to be released.
They were critical of the inquest which heard Alan Hawe had been suffering from severe mental illness, and the family are now calling on Garda Commissioner, Drew Harris, to set up a special investigation unit for cases of this type.
The reaction to last night's show was utter shock:
Clodagh Hawe was a lovely, kind teacher in our primary school in Oristown.
Her murder & that of her 3 sons was a truly sickening crime.
An enquiry & those Garda files could shine light on what happened & could help prevent another horrific familicide.#HerNameIsClodagh #CBLive
— David McFadden (@dmc_fadden) 25 February 2019
The Gardai need to turn all information gathered about Alan Hawe over to his family.
The not knowing is death by a thousand cuts. #HerNameisClodagh— Sarah-Jane Murphy (@sjanemurf) 25 February 2019
Not sure how to describe how I feel after watching that interview.... It was utterly gut-wrenching & blood-curdling. What an incredibly brave family. Interview conducted by Claire Byrne With genuine sensitivity. #HerNameIsClodagh #cblive
— Niamh O'Connor RD (@CorkNutrition) 25 February 2019
The Government is being urged to make a change to laws so that a spouse killer cannot benefit financially from their victim’s death.
Clodagh Hawe's family are now calling on the Justice Minister to amend the Succession Act.
It currently allows the perpetrator of a spousal homicide to become a beneficiary of the couple's joint assets such as the family home.
Anyone affected by issues raised in this article can contact the Samaritans on 116-123, Pieta House on 1800-247-247, Childline on 1800-66 66-66, or text "support" to 50101 and Women's Aid on 1800-341-900.
