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'FROM EVIL COMES GOOD'

Mystery of final text sent by teen stabbed along with mum and brothers by his dad in ‘murder-suicide’

Cops have seized Liam Hawe's phone hoping the text message and data on it may provide clues to life inside the family home

POLICE investigating a teacher who killed his family before hanging himself are probing a cryptic text sent by one of his sons in the days before he died.

Liam Hawe, 13, was murdered in his home by father Alan Hawe along with his mother Clodagh and two brothers, Niall, 11, and Ryan, six.

Police believe Alan Hawe killed his three sons (pictured) and his wife before killing himself
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Alan Hawe with the three sons he murdered - Ryan, 6, Liam, 13, and Niall, 11 (pictured left to right)Credit: Array

But cops have now seized his phone to look into his bizarre last text message, which read: "From evil comes good."

They hope to be able to decipher its meaning and use the phone to examine clues to life inside the family home, the reports.

Deputy principal Alan Hawe attacked his entire family, stabbing his wife Clodagh to death before killing his three children in their bedrooms before hanging himself.

It has since been revealed that the tormented father had left a note for his relatives, revealing he had been under pressure at work.

The sealed letter, which was written by the deputy principal of the Castlerahan National School outside Ballyjamesdugg in Co Cavan, was taken from the home.

Authorities also discovered other scribbled notes revealing the father was feeling pressure at work.

He was due to return to school on Tuesday.

Police searching the home have found a hatchet, believed to have been used in the attack, with forensics also removing a number of knive.

It has previously been revealed that Hawe is thought to have left a note at the back door with the instruction: “Call the Gardai.”

He is then thought to have taken his own life

: "Alan never put a step wrong. When he started, he finished.

"If he said he would support you, he did. He was a man of his word and a good man and that's why this is all so confusing."

NINTCHDBPICT000263024146
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Clodagh was stabbed before Hawe turned on the couple's three childrenCredit: Social Media
Undertakers removed several coffins from the home early this evening as police continued their investigation
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Undertakers removed coffins from the home yesterday as police continued their investigationCredit: PA:Press Association
The tragic scene has deeply shocked the local community in Balleyjamesduff
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The tragedy has deeply shocked the community in Balleyjamesduff, where teacher Alan Hawe was well knownCredit: Array
Several hearses could be seen lined up outside the property as the coffins were taken away to an undertakers
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Several hearses are seen lined up outside the property as the coffins are taken away to an undertakersCredit: Array
A convoy of hearses leaves the scene under police escort in heartbreaking scenes emerging from Ireland this evening
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A convoy of hearses leaves the scene under police escort in heartbreaking scenes yesterdayCredit: Array

Heartbreaking images emerged yesterday as several coffins were removed from the house and placed into a waiting convoy of hearses.

Locals who saw the family at a football match at nearby Castlerahan GAA club on Sunday afternoon said that there was no sign of the horror to come.

Alan, in his 40s, and the younger two children were due back at Castlerahan National School yesterday morning after the summer break.

His wife Clodagh, in her 30s, was a teacher at Oristown National School.

A source said: “Alan Hawe was well known in the area and was well respected because of his work in the school and also in GAA circles.”

In a press briefing at Ballyjamesduff Garda Station, Assistant Commissioner John O’Driscoll said two of the deceased were found in a downstairs room and three were found upstairs.

A Garda spokesman said: "The Garda investigation is ongoing but at this stage we are not looking for anyone else in relation to the deaths."

Family deaths
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The house where five members of the same family were found dead
Family deaths
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Deputy State Pathologist Dr Michael Curtis arrives at the scene in Cavan after police found the bodies of five members of the same family
Police said they believe "all they answers they need are in the house"
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Police said they believe 'all they answers they need are in the house'Credit: News Group Newspapers Ltd

Shocked town councillor Paddy Smith said the whole town is still coming to terms with the tragic news.

He said: “It’s just complete shock. I only heard about it and rang a couple of people and everyone is shocked.

“If there is five people dead, it’s tragic, no matter what."

Mr Smith told Independent.ie: “It’s just hard to get your head around the whole thing."

At a press conference yesterday, Assistant Commissioner O'Driscoll added: "We believe all the answers are in that house.

"We are working along very definite lines of inquiry. One person in that house may have been responsible for the death of the others."

Police investigations are continuing.

The area was cordoned off this afternoon as Irish police began their investigation into the tragic incident
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The area was cordoned off as Irish police began their investigation into the tragic incidentCredit: @NI_ALLO / Twitter
Family deaths
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Gardai aren’t looking for anyone else in connection with the incident, a spokesman confirmed
Police added that they believed one person in the house may have been responsible for the death of the others
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Police added that they believed one person in the house may have been responsible for the death of the othersCredit: Alamy


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