Twisted double murderer chopped off cat’s head with a hatchet and left it outside the home of a woman he fancied after she rejected his advances
The evil killer, who was jailed for life this week, wasn't charged over the sick act because his victim was too afraid to give a statement to police
DOUBLE-killer sicko Alan Cawley once chopped off a cat’s head with a hatchet before leaving it outside a woman’s home.
But the 30-year-old monster’s terrified victim was afraid to contact police over fears he would kill her.
The Sun can reveal the maniac — of OAPs Thomas and Jack Blaine in Castlebar, Co Mayo, in July 2013 — targeted the innocent woman after she rejected his advances in 2012.
He was later quizzed by cops on suspicion of animal cruelty but did not face any charges because the woman refused to make a statement.
A source said: “Cawley was extremely violent, and when he couldn’t get what he wanted, he terrorised the poor woman.
“He left the cat at the back of the house and it was a terrible discovery for the young woman to make.
“This incident was just an example of how violent he was, and the girl is lucky she wasn’t killed too.”
They added: “He terrorised a number of women in the Mayo area and the people of the county are a lot safer now that he is off the streets.”
We can also reveal how the psycho had 22 previous convictions during his life of crime in the west of Ireland.
Six of his convictions were for theft and two were unlawful possession of forged prescriptions for sleeping tablets.
And the drug addict was once caught stealing a pair of Nike runners, which cops believe were later sold to feed his habit.
The source added: “He was a serial shoplifter and there were times when security guards challenged him he threatened to kill them.
“Everything he stole was simply to feed his drug habit.”
Cawley bludgeoned Thomas, 69, and Jack, 76, with a shovel and one of their walking sticks after walking into their home.
The slain siblings, both disabled, were described by cousin Paul Dunne as “two simple men, two angels”.
The Central Criminal Court trial also heard Tom was schizophrenic, while Jack had dementia, a tremor and a severe hunch in his back.
Both brothers also suffered speech impediments.
They were under the care of the HSE, and a home-help called to their house on New Antrim Street three times a day.
The court heard Cawley, of Ballina, Co , had been diagnosed with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder and other disorders as a child.
He had also been as an adult, was often on heavy medication, had a dependence on alcohol and prescription drugs and was in and out of both hospital and prison.
He was freed from Castlerea jail on July 6, 2013 — four days before the killings — and provided with B&B accommodation in Castlebar.
Cawley was seen drinking three pints of Guinness in pubs late on July 9, with witnesses describing him as “crazy”.
Not seeing Tommy sitting in his chair smiling is a terrible loss
Paul Dunne, cousin to Tom and Jack Blaine
CCTV footage then captured him walking through the town and crossing paths with Jack Blaine around midnight before entering his house.
The killer, who claimed he was unsure of his own sexuality, said he was sick of men — and wanted to show the deceased that .
Their cousin Paul Dunne said that both men had kept to themselves, looked after each other and seemed happy and safe in Castlebar.
He described them in his victim impact statement as ‘two honest gentlemen’, who had worked hard in both Ireland and England.
He explained that both brothers were working in England when Jack had a serious accident on a building site in the late 1960s.
They had returned home to look after their mother as soon as he recovered.
Paul said that Jack Blaine had a speech impediment and was partially blind, but neither ever wanted a fuss.
He said of their attitude: “Everything was alright.”
He said that neither was a drinker, but that both were religious, and that the people of Castlebar used to keep an eye out for them.
Paul spoke about how much they were missed, saying: “The notepad I used to communicate with my cousins instead of shouting in their ears is no longer useful.
“Not seeing Tommy sitting in his chair smiling is a terrible loss.”
He said they had not bothered with television or any luxuries, but enjoyed the simple things in life and drinking tea.
He said: “Two simple men, two angels. May they rest in peace.”