Deadly Silence

A Sister’s Battle to Uncover the Truth Behind the Murder of Clodagh and Her Sons by Alan Hawe - Non-Fiction Book of the Year 2025, An Post Irish Book Awards

By: Jacqueline Connolly

Narrated by: Sherelle Kelleher

NON-FICTION BOOK OF THE YEAR 2025, AN POST IRISH BOOK AWARDS

The heart-breaking account of a search for the truth behind the brutal killings that shocked a nation.

On 29 August 2016, devastating news hit the headlines that an entire family was found dead in a rural community. For Jacqueline Connolly, this was a deeply personal and life-shattering tragedy, as she discovered her sister Clodagh, along with her nephews Liam, Niall and Ryan, were killed by their husband and father Alan Hawe.

Here, Jacqueline discloses the circumstances leading up to these tragic events, including Hawe's manipulation and coercive control of her unsuspecting sister.

Her gripping account tells of her family's painful struggle to expose critical failures in the initial garda investigation, as they uncovered the terrible darkness behind Hawe's 'pillar-of-the-community' facade.

Jacqueline also reveals many of the shocking, unpublished findings of the recent Garda Serious Crime Review, details that challenge our understanding of domestic violence and family annihilators, while laying bare a mass murder - Ireland's largest murder-suicide - that was cold-bloodedly planned for a year in advance.

Deadly Silence is both the story of a sister's determination to find truth and justice, and an inspiring personal journey of healing from severe trauma and loss.©2025 Jacqueline Coll

Critic reviews

Deadly Silence is a record of Clodagh's sister Jacqueline's attempts to 'uncover the truth' about what happened ... It is a deeply poignant account of innocent lives lost for no reason and then symbolically lost again by the meaning of the deaths being misunderstood ... Deadly Silence is a vital book

That it is so utterly compelling, even as she narrates some deeply distressing events, is a testament to her resilience and grace under the most catastrophic circumstances

As riveting as it is heartbreaking ... an important read

Good read and informative on subjects often tabooed

Loved the explanation of how the author made it through her trauma. I think she provides hope for others. Sometimes she was over thorough in her thoughts and it sounded like she was a victim and always wanted more. Regardless it was written from the heart.

The brutal honesty of author. The way this family were initially let down by the authorities.

You can’t say you like or dislike this book. It is a telling of such sadness.

How little we actually know about domestic abuse

The determination and relentless dedication to pursuing the truth behind the killing of a young woman and her three children.

Important Story

This book is the story of a sister who has experienced significant loss. It is an honest and transparent journey of grief, but also the realities of life after loss. I believe the author’s sister and 3 nephews would be incredibly proud of her voice and efforts.

Heartbreaking

It was a very tough listen from start to finish due to the nature of it, but very well written and read. My heart goes out to Jacqueline and her mother and wish them nothing but peace and future happiness.
Not sure if there is a site set up or a charity that we as readers can donate to, in memory of the beautiful souls lost, but will look online.