'Release garda findings to aid domestic violence services', Clodagh Hawe's sister tells commissioner
Hawe murdered his wife Clodagh and sons Liam, 13; Niall, 11; and six-year-old Ryan at their home in Co Cavan in 2016, before taking his own life.
The investigation into the murders was found to be incomplete and flawed in a number of respects and a review was ordered after Jacqueline and her mother went public on the matter.
In her memoir Deadly Silence, Ms Connolly revealed the family was given sight of the completed review — which ran to 800 pages — but the family was not furnished with a copy.
Ms Connolly believes it should be published in order to help prevent any similar tragedy from occurring in the future.
'I am appealing to you to release the findings in an appropriate way so that the timelines, behaviours, and patterns of family annihilators are given to the public, for those in abusive and controlling relationships, and to aid domestic violence services in expanding and advancing their policies,' she wrote to commissioner Drew Harris.
"This, in turn, will align with the prevention and protection pillars of the Government's third national strategy on domestic, sexual, and gender-based violence"
Speaking on The Mick Clifford Podcast, Ms Connolly said she met with justice minister Jim O'Callaghan in March to ask for his assistance in having the review published — but nothing has been done.
Warning signs
She said that the learnings to be taken from the review are vital in trying to ensure that a similar tragedy does not occur again.
'I've received hundreds of messages since the release of Deadly Silence, and some have been from women who read my book and said: 'You've shown me warning signs, it's really raised red flags with me, I'm in the process of quietly leaving my partner.'
If 'Deadly Silence' can do that, imagine the power impact that the truth in the findings [of the review] would reveal and the lives that could be saved
Her call for publication of the review is supported by Women's Aid, the support organisation for the victims of domestic violence.
Sarah Benson, the chief executive of Women's Aid, told the Irish Examiner that since the publication of Ms Connolly's book, she had been contacted by women for whom elements of the story had resonated.
'Some who contacted me said they felt lucky that they may have had a near miss in terms of the risks they have been subjected to in a relationship,' Ms Benson said.
'It could be extremely beneficial and in the public interest to have reports like this shared in order to do what Jacqueline is saying, to help understand where there may have been missed opportunities, and to better bolster community response to domestic abuse and the risks associated with it.'
Key flaws
A spokesperson for An Garda Síochána told the Irish Examiner that in general 'reviews conducted by the Garda Serious Crime Team are not published for operational reasons'.
The spokesperson also referred to a statement from Mr Harris on the case dating from 2019.
In her book, Ms Connolly wrote that the review uncovered three key flaws with the original investigation.
These were the mishandling of CCTV evidence, the interviewing of witnesses without the proper expertise, and digital evidence that simply was not collected.
She said that accommodation could be made for redactions where the gardaí thought necessary but that there are huge learnings to be taken from the detail of how Alan Hawe conducted himself and where red flags could be raised in the future.
'It's frustrating and angering that I, as Clodagh's sister and the boys' aunt, am here again fighting for justice? Why should that have to happen? Why should the onus be on me to fight to do what's right for women and children?' she said.
- If you are affected by any of the issues raised in this article, please click here for a list of support services.
Women's Aid national helpline is 1800 341 900
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Sunday World
2 days ago
- Sunday World
MMA fighter accused of corruption involving garda bribes is sent for trial
It follows a probe by the anti-corruption unit, and the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) had also directed trial on indictment. MMA fighter Charlie Ward has been returned for trial accused of corruption offences involving "confidential" Garda information and helping to pervert the course of justice. The mixed martial artist, 44, of Acragar, Mountmellick and co-accused Noel Carroll, 57, of Ballyfinn Road, Portlaoise, both Co Laois, appeared at Dublin District Court yesterday when the gardaí served them with books of evidence. It follows a probe by the anti-corruption unit, and the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) had also directed trial on indictment. Charlie Ward News in 90 Seconds - July 26th Judge Gerard Jones granted an order, sending them forward for trial to the Dublin Circuit Criminal Court, which has wider sentencing powers and where the case will be listed for mention on October 16. The defendants, who have yet to enter a plea, did not address the court and were warned by the judge to notify the prosecution within 14 days if they intend to use an alibi. Gardaí must also furnish the defence with copies of interview videos. Legal aid was granted. Earlier, Detective Sergeant Paul Dowling and Kieran Kilcoyne said the two men "made no reply" when charged. The pair face charges contrary to section 5 of the 2018 Criminal Justice (Corruption Offences) Act about requests for information concerning three men. According to the court documents, on March 2, 2022, at an unknown location in the state, both men corruptly requested a gift, consideration or advantage on account of a named garda requesting that confidential information relating to another person be obtained and disclosed. Mr Ward is accused of the same type of offence on February 28, 2022, about Garda information on a second male. Another charge states that on the previous day, Mr Ward corruptly offered the same officer an inducement for doing an act in relation to his employment as a member of An Garda Síochána. Mr Ward is also accused of an offence under section 7 of the Criminal Law Act 1997. That alleges that between October 15 -17, 2019, when another person committed an arrestable offence, namely, perverting the course of justice, that he "did aid, abet, counsel or procure the commission of this offence". It is alleged that on January 26, 2022, at an unknown location, Mr Carroll corruptly requested a gift consideration or advantage on account of the garda seeking confidential information about a search operation at the home of a third named man.
Irish Times
2 days ago
- Irish Times
MMA fighter Charlie Ward (44) and co-accused face trial over Garda corruption offences
Former MMA fighter Charlie Ward has been returned for trial accused of corruption offences involving 'confidential' Garda information and helping to pervert the course of justice. The mixed martial artist (44) of Acragar, Mountmellick, and co-accused Noel Carroll (57) of Ballyfinn Road, Portlaoise, both Co Laois, appeared at Dublin District Court on Friday when the gardaí served them with books of evidence. It follows a probe by the anti-corruption unit , and the Director of Public Prosecutions had also directed trial on indictment. Judge Gerard Jones granted an order sending them forward for trial to the Dublin Circuit Criminal Court, which has wider sentencing powers and where the case will be listed for mention on October 16th. READ MORE The defendants, who have yet to enter a plea, did not address the court and were warned by the judge to notify the prosecution within 14 days if they intend to use an alibi. Gardaí must also furnish the defence with copies of interview videos. Legal aid was granted. Earlier, Det Sgts Paul Dowling and Kieran Kilcoyne said the two men 'made no reply' when charged. The pair face charges contrary to section 5 of the 2018 Criminal Justice (Corruption Offences) Act regarding requests for information concerning three men. According to the court documents, on March 2nd, 2022, at an unknown location in the State, both men corruptly requested a gift, consideration or advantage on account of a named garda requesting that confidential information relating to another person be obtained and disclosed. [ Man charged with assault at IPAS centre ordered not to incite hate on social media Opens in new window ] Mr Ward is accused of the same type of offence on February 28th 2022, about Garda information on a second male. Another charge states that on the previous day, Mr Ward corruptly offered the same officer an inducement for doing an act in relation to his employment as a member of An Garda Síochána. [ Kinahan crime boss ordered to pay back £1 million or face more jail time Opens in new window ] Mr Ward is also accused of an offence under section 7 of the Criminal Law Act 1997. This alleges that between October 15th-17th, 2019, when another person committed an arrestable offence, namely, perverting the course of justice, that he 'did aid, abet, counsel or procure the commission of this offence'. It is alleged that on January 26th, 2022, at an unknown location, Mr Carroll corruptly requested a gift consideration or advantage on account of the garda seeking confidential information about a search operation at the home of a third named man.
Irish Daily Mirror
2 days ago
- Irish Daily Mirror
Man arrested following seizure of ecstasy tablets worth €235,000 in Monaghan
A man has been arrested following the seizure of ecstasy tablets worth around €235,000 in Monaghan today. The drugs were discovered at a residence during a targeted joint operation involving members of An Garda Síochána and Revenue's Customs Service. A man aged in his 20s was arrested at the scene and is currently being detained at a Garda station in the northwest under Section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act 1984. He can be questioned for up to 24 hours. The MDMA seized at the property, which has an estimated street value of €235,000, will be sent to Forensic Science Ireland for analysis, and investigations are ongoing. The joint operation involved officers from the Garda National Drugs and Organised Crime Bureau, Monaghan Divisional Drugs Unit, and Revenue's Customs Service. A spokesperson for Revenue said the intelligence-led operation was part of the agency's ongoing efforts in the area. "The seizure is part of Revenue's ongoing work targeting smuggling and shadow economy activity," they said. "If businesses or members of the public have any information, they can contact Revenue in confidence on 1800 295 295." A Garda spokesperson said investigations were continuing following today's seizure. "In the course of a joint operation conducted by the Garda National Drugs and Organised Crime Bureau (GNDOCB), Monaghan Divisional Drugs Unit and Revenue officers, a residential property in Monaghan was searched today, 25th July 2025," they said. "MDMA tablets with an estimated street value of €235,000 (pending analysis) were seized. "A male in his 20s was arrested at the scene and is currently being detained at a station in the Garda North Western Region under Section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act 1984," they confirmed. Subscribe to our newsletter for the latest news from the Irish Mirror direct to your inbox: Sign up here.
