Verdicts of murder were returned on Monday at inquests into the deaths of two elderly brothers who were bludgeoned to death at their home almost seven years ago.
After delivering his verdicts, Coroner Patrick O’Connor said words fail to express the horror of the “awful tragedy” which befell Thomas, 69, and 76-year-old John (Jack) Blaine on July 10, 2013.
The pair, who lived under the care of the HSE at Newantrim Street in Castlebar, Co Mayo, were brutally murdered by lone attacker Alan Cawley, of Four Winds in Ballina.
He was unanimously found guilty of murder by a jury at the Central Criminal Court and given the mandatory life sentence by Mr Justice Paul Coffey on July 25, 2017.
He unsuccessfully sought to appeal his conviction. Evidence was given to the court that Cawley was released from Castlerea Prison four days before the killings and was provided with B&B accommodation in Castlebar.
He bought a bottle of wine at around 5pm on July 9 and was seen drinking three pints of Guinness in pubs later that evening.
The court heard Cawley inflicted horrific injuries on his victims, bludgeoning them with a shovel and one of their walking sticks.
The inquest into the deaths was opened and adjourned in June 2015.
When it came up for finalisation yesterday, the coroner described the Blaines as “very special people” loved by all who knew them, who needed protection.
The coroner added: “The tragedy of both deaths is something the [Castlebar] community will always have on their minds.”
