Hawe family laid to rest

“How so much goodness could be destroyed? How such happiness could be invaded? How? Why? It is not for us to seek answers or to surmise about behaviour. We all are trying to cope with a tragedy beyond our understanding,” were among the questions asked in an emotional homily by Father Felim Kelly CC, chief celebrant at the funeral of the Hawe family who died tragically earlier this week.

The five members of the Castlerahan/ Ballyjamesduff family, teachers Alan Hawe, wife Clodagh (nee Coll), and their three children Liam (13), Niall (11) and Ryan (6) were found dead at their Ballyjamesduff home on Monday of this week, August 29.

 

‘What a Loss!’

A close personal friend of the Hawes’, Fr Felim recalled to a packed congregation how he had visited the family on a Christmas morning a couple of years ago, where Clodagh laid on welcome of scones, red jam and coffee, while Liam, Niall and Ryan played with their new gifts. Alan meanwhile, Fr Felim remembers standing totally at ease happy in the presence of his family

“The family played an amazing part in the life of their schools as teachers, held in the highest regard by colleagues, parents and children, respectful of all in their care and so co-operative in every possible way.  The children, gifted pupils, team players, budding leaders, warm friends.  What a loss!,” he told mourners at St Mary's Church, Castlerahan.

Earlier, Philip, Alan’s uncle, placed a Kilkenny jersey on Windgap-native Alan’s coffin.

Mary, Clodagh’s mother, placed a family photograph on Clodagh’s coffin, a symbol of her greatest gifts as a wife, mother and promoter of family values.

Helen, Alan’s aunt, placed a basketball on Liam’s coffin, while Audrey, Clodagh’s cousin, placed a trophy on Niall’s coffin, an award for his excellence in sport. 

Gerry, known to Ryan as “Grandad”, placed a woolly dog with appealing eyes on Ryan’s coffin, “never could a symbol be more apt” mourners were told.

There were tributes paid to both Hawe and Coll families, as well as to the staff of both Castlerahan and Oristown National Schools, and staff and friends from Virginia College.

It was said that a “very special” bond was shared between 6th class of 2013/14 in Castlerahan National School, some of whom acted as Altar Servers at the funeral also.

“Castlerahan may be at the centre of the world today but it is also the centre of many many people’s thoughts and prayers and good will as messages have been pouring in all week from diverse places and generous people,” Fr Felim said.

 

Sorrow

On behalf of all the people of the diocese, Bishop Leo O’Reilly, who concelebrated the mass, joined Father Felim in offering to the families of Alan and Clodagh, to their friends and work colleagues, to the parents and children in the schools and to the whole community here in Castlerahan our deepest sympathy on your great loss. “My colleague of the Church of Ireland, Bishop Ferran Glenfield, contacted me to offer his support and prayers and the support of his community also at this time of great sorrow.  So too did many of my brother bishop, priests, religious and lay people  around the country. 

“May the God of mercy and compassion give you healing and strength to bear this cross and may he give you hope to face the future, knowing that one day you will be reunited in heaven.”

Burial took take place after Mass in the local cemetery beside the church.

Gardaí continue to treat the investigation into the deaths of the family 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.

Psychologists from the National Educational Psychological Service (NEPS) have been assigned to the primary schools to support and advise teachers in their efforts to assist students and staff in dealing with this tragic event.

The schools, it has been said, will also be open to parents to support them and offer them advice and guidance following the tragic deaths of the Hawe family.