Family of five found dead in Ireland in 'murder-suicide'
A family of five have been found dead in a house in the Irish midlands after an apparent murder-suicide, police have said.
The bodies of primary school deputy principal Alan Hawe, aged in his 40s, and his school teacher wife Clodagh, aged in her 30s, and their three sons were discovered at a house near Ballyjamesduff, in Co Cavan.
It is believed the husband and wife were found downstairs at Oakdene Downs in the townland of Barconey, while the boys - Liam, 13, Niall, 11, and Ryan, six - were upstairs in their bedrooms.
Assistant commissioner John O'Driscoll said: "The Garda investigation is ongoing but at this stage we are not looking for anyone else in relation to the deaths.
"Everybody really feels for the family concerned and all we can do is help the surviving members... help them deal with the grief."
He added: "We believe all the answers are within that house - so therefore the most likely scenario is that one person in that house may have caused the death of the others."
Mr Hawe was a deputy principal at nearby Castlerahan National School, which was due to resume after the summer break.
Niall and Ryan were both pupils at the school and the eldest boy Liam was a past pupil.
Mrs Hawe taught at Oristown National School in Co Meath.
The alarm was raised at around 10:45am, after someone, thought to be a relative, called to the house but got no answer.
Two officers dispatched to the scene from Monaghan Garda station gained entry to the house and made the grim discovery.
An examination of the property is being carried out and investigating officers have found no evidence that a firearm was used.
Anne Foley, principal of Castlerahan National School, described the deaths as "a terrible tragedy for the family, our school and our community".
"Alan was a valued member of our school staff and community," she said.
Local councillor Paddy Smith added: "This has come as complete and utter shock to everybody in the area and everybody who knew the family because they were a very steady, hard-working family.
"It is a complete shock, out of the dark, people are just unable to grasp or comprehend what has happened."
Post mortem examinations are expected to provide definitive answers as to the cause of the deaths.