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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

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Deadly Silence

By: Jacqueline Connolly
Narrated by: Sherelle Kelleher
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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Jacqueline also reveals many of the shocking, unpublished findings of the recent Garda Serious Crime Review, details that challenge our understanding of domestic violence and family annihilators, while laying bare a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 Abuse Crime Domestic Partner Abuse Dysfunctional Families Murder Parenting & Families Relationships True Crime Emotionally Gripping Heartfelt Inspiring Scary Thought-Provoking
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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
All stars
Most relevant
An excellent well written book, taking you on a unique journey from an insight not many could even imagine.
The back story and the subsequent aftermath of her family's tradegy was truly eye opening, including her quest to get real justice.

Eye opening on many fronts

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Very well written, be prepared for emotions to rise. I exclaimed aloud in frustration and deep empathy more than once. The afterword on coercive control should be delivered in schools. To the author, you are one impressive lady, thank you for writting this 🙏

-- Cavan native

Compulsive and compulsary listening

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You see the headlines and you think you know the whole story but there is so much more to it.
Things you never consider such as the cost of an enquiry into a murder and who bears that cost?
listen to this book.

amazing story

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This book was brilliantly written. A terrible heartbreaking subject was told with such warmth and love. I think the author Jacqueline and her mum did a fantastic job fighting for Clodagh and her boys. Well done x

A powerful book that everyone should read

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Such an incredibly written book. A profound insight into a very tragic story. Deeply touching and thought provoking.

An exceptional read

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