Small rural community in shock as Hawe family are laid to rest together

The loss of five members of the same family in a murder-suicide is tragedy beyond comprehension, funeral mourners heard yesterday.

Hundreds of people turned out to bid a final farewell to deputy principal Alan Hawe, his schoolteacher wife Clodagh, and their three sons, Liam, 13, Niall, 11, and Ryan, six, who were found dead at their home in Cavan last Monday.

In his homily, Fr Felim Kelly said the close-knit community had been left bewildered by the deaths.