Thursday 5 November 2026Compiled from published reports. Every claim links to its source.

Ireland Crime

Every case followed from the first report to the sentence, or to where the reporting stopped.

Case No. 26089Murder (double) · Co. Mayo · 10 Jul 2013

Man sentenced to life for double murder in Castlebar, Mayo

Alan Cawley, 32, a man, was convicted of bludgeoning Thomas Blaine, 69, and Jack Blaine, 76, with a shovel and a walking stick in their home in Castlebar, Mayo, on 10 July 2013. A jury unanimously found Cawley guilty of double murder in 2017, rejecting the defence's diminished responsibility argument. Mr Justice Paul Coffey sentenced Cawley to the mandatory life sentence on 25 July 2017, describing the killings as wanton and savage. Cawley is serving a life sentence in prison.

  1. Reported
  2. Arrested
  3. Charged
  4. In court
  5. Verdict
  6. Sentenced
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
Alan Cawley was convicted of bludgeoning Thomas Blaine, 69, and Jack Blaine, 76, with a shovel and one of their walking sticks.
Where
The murders took place in Castlebar, Mayo.
When
The killings occurred on 10 July 2013.
Weapon
A shovel and one of the victims' walking sticks were used.
Charges
Cawley was charged with double murder; the defence argued diminished responsibility for manslaughter.
In court
A jury unanimously found Cawley guilty of murder after one hour and 42 minutes of deliberations in 2017, rejecting the diminished responsibility defence.
Sentence
Mr Justice Paul Coffey sentenced Cawley to the mandatory life sentence on 25 July 2017, describing the murders as wanton and savage.
Other details
  • Cawley had been released from Castlerea prison four days before the killings and was provided B&B accommodation in Castlebar.
  • Both brothers had special needs and speech impediments and were under the care of the HSE with a home help calling three times a day.
  • Cawley was seen drinking in pubs in Castlebar the evening before the murders and told people he was a junior doctor who would carry out autopsies on any bodies found.
  • Cawley met Jack on the street and was captured on CCTV with his arm around him entering the home.
34 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatAlan Cawley was found guilty of bludgeoning the men with a shovel and one of their walking sticks. (kildarenow.com)
  • whatAlan Cawley was convicted of killing Thomas Blaine, 69, and Jack Blaine, 76, on 10 July 2013. (irishmirror.ie)
  • whereThe murders took place in Castlebar, Mayo. (irishmirror.ie)
  • chargeThe defence argued diminished responsibility for manslaughter. (irishmirror.ie)
  • courtThe murder is recalled in the Marú Inár Measc series on TG4 on Wednesday at 9.45pm. (kildarenow.com)
  • courtThe trial heard claims that Cawley had three mental disorders that had diminished his responsibility. (kildarenow.com)
  • courtCawley was unanimously found guilty of murder by a jury after an hour and 42 minutes of deliberations. (kildarenow.com)
  • courtA jury rejected the diminished responsibility argument in 2017. (irishmirror.ie)
  • courtMarie Cassidy gave evidence at the trial. (irishmirror.ie)
  • sentenceCawley was given the mandatory life sentence by Mr Justice Paul Coffey on July 25, 2017. (kildarenow.com)
  • sentenceJustice Coffey described the murders as wanton and savage. (kildarenow.com)
  • sentenceCawley is serving a life sentence. (irishmirror.ie)
  • sentenceCawley was convicted of double murder and jailed for life. (irishmirror.ie)
  • otherPeople still leave flowers at the front door of the Blaine brothers' home nearly ten years after the murder. (kildarenow.com)
  • otherPaul Dunne, cousin of the murdered man, said people leave flowers outside the front door every anniversary. (kildarenow.com)
  • otherPaul Dunne said he sees people in cars bless themselves when they pass the house. (kildarenow.com)
  • otherPaul Dunne said he was delighted Cawley was found guilty and wanted the maximum sentence. (kildarenow.com)
  • otherPaul Dunne received letters about the murders from the US. (kildarenow.com)
  • otherTom had schizophrenia and Jack had dementia, a tremor and a severe hunch in his back. (kildarenow.com)
  • otherBoth brothers had speech impediments. (kildarenow.com)
  • otherThe brothers were under the care of the HSE and a home help called to them three times a day. (kildarenow.com)
  • otherCawley was released from Castlerea prison four days before the killings. (kildarenow.com)
  • otherCawley had developed a dependence on alcohol and prescription drugs and was in and out of hospital and prison. (kildarenow.com)
  • otherCawley was seen drinking in pubs in Castlebar the evening before the murders. (kildarenow.com)
  • otherCawley told people he was a junior doctor who would be carrying out autopsies on any bodies found that night. (kildarenow.com)
  • otherThe documentary will also hear from Garda Superintendent Gary Walsh and publican Rocky Moran, a neighbour of the victims. (kildarenow.com)
  • otherBoth brothers had special needs and speech impediments. (irishmirror.ie)
  • otherThe brothers were under the care of the HSE and a home help called three times a day. (irishmirror.ie)
  • otherCawley admitted to killing the brothers but claimed mental disorders. (irishmirror.ie)
  • otherCawley had been released from Castlerea prison in Co Roscommon four days before the murders. (irishmirror.ie)
  • otherCawley was provided with B&B accommodation in Castlebar. (irishmirror.ie)
  • otherCawley drank in a pub before the murders and told punters he was a doctor carrying out two autopsies. (irishmirror.ie)
  • otherCawley met Jack on the street and was captured on CCTV with his arm around him entering the home. (irishmirror.ie)
  • otherCawley hung dogs and cats for pleasure. (irishmirror.ie)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 9 Jul2022
    Otheririshmirror.ie, its first report
    Cousin of victims says Mayo double murder killer should never get out of jail

    Cousin of the victims Paul Dunne comments on the ninth anniversary of the double murder, describing Cawley's behaviour before and during the killings, the trial, and the victims' lives.

    victim, Thomas Blaine, 69, male, irish (judged from name)Thomas Blainevictim, Jack Blaine, 76, male, irish (judged from name)Jack Blaineconvicted, Alan Cawley, male, named, irish (judged from name)Alan Cawley
  2. 31 May2022
    Otherkildarenow.com, first report
    People still leaving flowers at front door of brothers murdered nearly ten years ago

    Feature article about a TG4 documentary (Marú Inár Measc) airing in May 2022 that recalls the 2013 double murder. Adds details on the trial (jury deliberation time of 1 hour 42 minutes, mandatory life sentence by Mr Justice Paul Coffey on 25 July 2017), the victims' medical conditions (schizophrenia, dementia, speech impediments), Cawley's release from Castlerea prison four days before the killings, and his behaviour the evening before the murders.

    victim, 69, male, irishvictim, Jack Blaine, 76, male, irish (judged from name)Jack Blaineconvicted, Alan Cawley, 32, male, named, irish (judged from name)Alan Cawley