Carer becomes emotional as she tells trial of finding bloodied bodies of elderly "gentlemen"

A carer providing care to two elderly brothers in Castlebar testified at the Central Criminal Court in July 2017 about her harrowing discovery of their bodies following a violent assault at their home. Helen Maloney, who had supported Thomas and John Blaine for approximately nine years, described finding Thomas bloodied in his bedroom and subsequently locating John at the rear of the property, also covered in blood. Garda evidence indicated severe injuries consistent with blunt force trauma inflicted during the attack. Alan Cawley, aged 30 from Ballina in County Mayo, stood trial charged with their murder. The brothers, who had learning difficulties and were receiving HSE care, died on 10 July 2013. CCTV footage placed Cawley entering the home shortly after midnight and departing approximately one hour later. He had been released from prison days before the incident. The defence admitted Cawley caused both deaths but entered a plea of not guilty to murder, arguing diminished responsibility due to mental health conditions. The prosecution contended he made a deliberate decision to kill both men in acts of extreme violence. Medical evidence documented extensive trauma to both victims, with the State Pathologist characterising the assault as displaying overkill, far exceeding force necessary to cause death. Following closing arguments and jury instructions, Cawley was convicted of murder on 25 July 2017. The jury rejected his diminished responsibility defence. Justice Paul Coffey imposed a mandatory life sentence, describing the attacks as wanton and savage. A family member subsequently read a victim impact statement, recalling the brothers as gentle men valued members of their community who had cared for one another. The conviction was upheld on appeal in December 2019.