Cork court: Six people plead not guilty to murder of man at a graveyard

FIVE men and one teenager pleaded not guilty yesterday to the murder of 43-year-old Tom Dooley at a funeral at Rath Cemetery in Tralee, as the judge advised those called for jury service that the case could go on until the end of July.

Ms Justice Mary Ellen Ring told members of the jury panel at the Central Criminal Court sitting in Cork that she understood that June and July are popular times for pre-arranged family holidays and that any difficulties they may have should be brought to her attention if selected to be sworn as a juror.

Numerous people — who had been called as potential jurors — then indicated in private conversations with the judge in court that they would not be available for the required period, and they were excused.

There were objections to other potential jurors from lawyers who can do so a number of times without specifying the reason.

It is anticipated that the empanelling of the jury will not be finalised until Tuesday, June 4. So far, six men and one woman have been sworn in to hear the case.

The judge said at the outset that each of the six accused faces the same charge.

Ms Justice Ring said: “The charge they face is one of murder on October 5, 2022, at Rath cemetery in Tralee, Co Kerry. Those are the significant issues that you will hear about. One of the first witnesses is Siobhán Dooley, also known as Bernadette Siobhán Dooley. She was McDonagh before she married Mr Dooley. She is originally from Tullamore and she is now of Hazelwood Drive, Killarney.”

The defendants were arraigned individually and each one replied not guilty to the murder of 43-year-old Tom Dooley from Hazelwood Drive, Killarney, at New Rath Cemetery, Rathass, Tralee, on October 5, 2022.

The five defendants in the case: Patrick Dooley, aged 36, from Arbutus Grove, Killarney; Thomas Dooley, aged 43, from the halting site, Carrigrohane Rd; Thomas Dooley Jnr, aged 21, from the halting site, Carrigrohane, Cork; Michael Dooley, aged 29, of the halting site, Carrigrohane, Cork; and Daniel Dooley, aged 42, of An Carraigin, Connolly Park, Tralee, Co Kerry, face trial, as does the sixth defendant, who is a teenager.

Only Thomas Dooley Jnr, aged 21, faces the second charge that he intentionally or recklessly caused serious harm to Siobhán Dooley. There was also a not guilty plea in respect of this count.