FAMILY’S HORROR 

Thomas and Jack were like two angels, their twisted killer is scum, says heartbroken cousin of murdered OAP brothers

• 7:00, 31 May 2022

THE family of two slain OAP siblings have blasted their killer as “scum of the earth” and declared: “It wasn’t just murder, it was overkill.”

Twisted Alan Cawley, 35, was caged for life for bludgeoning pensioners Thomas and Jack Blaine with a shovel and a walking stick after wandering into their home.

Thomas was brutally beaten with the stick at least 25 times as he lay on his bed in Castlebar, Co Mayo.

Monster Cawley even poured boiling water over Jack’s groin as he bashed him and his brother to death.

The innocent siblings, who had special needs, were defenceless as the brute carried out the merciless attack on July 10, 2013.

The victims’ cousin, Paul Dunne, describes Thomas, 69, and Jack, 76, as “like two children, two angels”, saying: “They were like two children, they were innocent and defenceless.”

Cawley’s victims were among the most vulnerable in society, with Tom a schizophrenic while hunch-backed Jack had dementia and a tremor.

They were under the care of the HSE, and home-help called to their house on New Antrim Street in Castlebar three times a day.

Cawley was freed from Castlerea jail on July 6, 2013 — four days before the killings — and went to stay in B&B accommodation in Castlebar.

The maniac was seen drinking in pubs late on July 9.

CCTV footage captured Cawley walking through the town and meeting Jack at around midnight before entering his house.

Speaking about the fateful night, Paul insists Cawley was on “a mission to murder”.

He told The Irish Sun: “I believe Cawley was looking for someone to kill. He went into that house and he knew there were no able-bodied men, alarm system, or anything that was going to bother him. I honestly think he had planned to go to that house.”

Cawley, of Ballina, Co Mayo, had been diagnosed with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder as a child.

He was also diagnosed with two personality disorders as an adult, was often on medication, had a dependence on alcohol and prescription drugs and was in and out of hospital and jail.

Cawley admitted killing Thomas and Jack but pleaded not guilty to murder, arguing he had three mental disorders that diminished his responsibility and was therefore entitled to a manslaughter verdict.

But Paul said: “Cawley decided that these two men were two paedophiles and he was going to do the world a great favour by getting rid of these guys.

“He beat Jack. He used a shovel, he used a walking stick, he used a mop and he beat Jack. And he boiled the kettle and threw a kettle of hot water on Jack’s private areas.”

Paul says during the trial the sicko slayer showed “no remorse”.

He said: “It wasn’t just murder, it was overkill. And then he tried to get off with it, looking for pity.”

A new TG4 documentary tomorrow will shine a light on the effect that the shocking double murder has had on the Castlebar community.