Tallaght schools will seek to become sources of support to community after tragedy, says principal

The principal of St Aidan’s Community School in Tallaght where Lisa Cash had been a student said a plan is in place to offer students at the three local schools a full range of supports in the wake of the tragedy.

Lisa Cash, along with her eight-year-old siblings, twins Chelsea and Christy Cawley, were killed at their family home in west Dublin by a man who gardaí suspect knew them all their lives.

The chief suspect, who is in his 20s, barricaded himself into the house on Rossfield Avenue, Brookfield, Tallaght, after going there late on Saturday night and attacking his victims, all of whom he knew.

A fourth sibling, a 14-year-old boy, managed to escape, apparently by jumping from an upstairs window, injuring himself in the process.

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The suspect had barricaded himself into the house by the time gardaí, firefighters and paramedics arrived at about 12.30am on Sunday. However, gardaí forced their way into the property, by which time large crowds had gathered on the street, looking on in shock.

[ Tallaght stabbings: ‘I had to sit my seven-year-old down and tell him two of his friends have gone to heaven’ ]

Gardaí eventually overpowered the suspect, who violently resisted them, after a range of so-called “less than lethal” weapons were discharged.

Kevin Shortall told RTÉ radio’s Morning Ireland that the schools would provide support for everybody in the community. “We just have to be there to wrap around support, not just for students, but for the community as well.”

Mr Shortall said people were in shock, that this morning was a very difficult morning so it was important for people to be together and mind each other. There were strong bonds between the schools and the community, he said.

Many of the staff at the school were from the area so there was a sense of urgency and responsibility “to see what we can do”.

Mr Shortall described Lisa Cash, who did her Leaving Cert in 2021, as a quiet, beautiful, diligent, hard working student. She had been a great support for her friends and had worked hard for her Leaving Cert during the difficult time of Covid-19.

‘Lovely, lovely person’

“She was the most honest and genuine person, full of intelligence, no drama. She was hugely, highly regarded. She was a lovely, lovely person. She was a lovely big sister to her siblings. She was a person you could trust.”

Mr Shortall pointed out that many children would be passing the scene of the tragedy on their way to school this morning, so it was important for the school to help them process. There was going to be worry and trauma in the community, the schools had to be ready for that today. Schools were places where young people go to be helped.

“We just have to be there,” he said.

Throughout Monday morning locals arrived at St. Aidan’s Parish Church in Tallaght to pray for Chelsea, Christy and Lisa.

Brookfield parish priest, Fr Bill O’Shaughnessy, was offering a “listening ear and a shoulder to cry on”, but there is no magic wand for the devastation being faced by the community, he said.

“The shock of this is second to none here. As a community we are not used to these horrendous acts of violence, particularly on such young people,” he said.

While he was preparing for Mass yesterday morning, churchgoers were only just learning about the violent tragedy that unfolded overnight a few streets away, he said.

“Shock and dismay” set in as the details emerged throughout Sunday about the violent killings.

When thinking of such an unnatural act, no words are adequate, he added.

The parish church, where Chelsea and Christy recently made their First Holy Communion, will be open throughout the coming days for prayers and for people to light a candle for the deceased and their family.

“Our first priority is to pray for the area here now. An evil act like this will leave its mark on the community and it is not easy for it to leave our minds, particularly for those who were so closely involved in this,” he said.

The situation is “extraordinarily difficult” for the family, neighbours and friends, as well as gardai and medics who responded, he said. There is a “long road ahead” as the tight-knit area tries to come to terms with the violent tragedy, he added.

In a local grocery, customers and staff are discussing the deaths of three young community members. Each new detail shared is more gruesome, the events “unthinkable” and “shocking”, they said.

A shop worker said the twins would regularly attend to buy groceries for their mother.

“I am devastated... The kids came in every day. They were the most pleasant. They were just gorgeous,” she said.

The worker recalled how Christy always looked out for his twin sister: “You would never get a politer boy,” she said. The pair were very popular with other children because they were so kind, she added.

Their older sister Lisa “had the softest voice” and was always very polite, said the woman.

The principal of St Brigid’s Junior National School, where Christy and Chelsea attended until the summer, said the school community is “deeply saddened” by the weekend’s event.

“Our priority will be to do everything we can to support our staff, our students and their families during this very difficult time,” said principal Maeve Cloke, adding that outside psychological support has been requested.