Cawley found guilty of "wanton, savage" double murder of elderly brothers

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A 30-year-old man from Ballina has been convicted of the murder of two elderly brothers at the Central Criminal Court. Alan Cawley was found guilty of killing Thomas Blaine, aged 69, and John Blaine, aged 76, at their home on New Antrim Street in Castlebar on 10 July 2013. Both men had learning difficulties and were receiving HSE care. Cawley had admitted the killings but pleaded not guilty to murder, arguing diminished responsibility due to mental health conditions. A jury rejected this defence after hearing evidence from psychiatric experts. Justice Paul Coffey imposed a mandatory life sentence, describing the attacks as "wanton" and "savage". A victim impact statement was read by a family member, who recalled the brothers as gentle men who had cared for each other and were valued members of their community.

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Original report plus public source leads and related archive reports used for review context.

Public source leads

Alan Cawley gets life for 'savage' double murder of elderly Mayo brothers described as 'angels' - Irish Examiner Irish Examiner · Tue, 25 Jul 2017 07:00:00 GMT
Man admits killing two elderly brothers in Co Mayo - The Irish Times The Irish Times · Fri, 07 Jul 2017 07:00:00 GMT
Man guilty of murdering elderly brothers in Co Mayo - The Irish Times The Irish Times · Tue, 25 Jul 2017 07:00:00 GMT
'Two simple men, two angels... May they rest in peace' - Family heartbreak as man found guilty of murdering elderly brothers - Irish Independent Irish Independent · Tue, 25 Jul 2017 07:00:00 GMT
Man charged with murder of elderly Co Mayo brothers - The Irish Times The Irish Times · Fri, 12 Jul 2013 07:00:00 GMT
Man charged with murders of elderly Mayo brothers - RTE.ie RTE.ie · Sat, 13 Jul 2013 07:00:00 GMT
Cawley admits killing Castlebar brothers but denies murder - The Mayo News The Mayo News · Tue, 11 Jul 2017 07:00:00 GMT
Mayo man loses appeal against murder conviction - RTE.ie RTE.ie · Mon, 16 Dec 2019 08:00:00 GMT

Related court reports

Man jailed for double murder of elderly brothers gets date for appeal Courts News Ireland · 2019-04-01
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Jury have to consider whether double murder accused had mental disorder Courts News Ireland · 2017-07-24
A jury at the Central Criminal Court has begun deliberating in a double murder trial concerning a 30-year-old man from Ballina, County Mayo. Alan Cawley has admitted...