Trial of five men and teen accused of murder of Thomas Dooley in Kerry graveyard set to begin

Thomas Dooley (43) died after the incident at the funeral of a family friend at New Rath cemetery outside Tralee on October 5 2022.

Six defendants will now be tried for the murder of Mr Dooley at the Central Criminal Court, sitting in Cork, at a trial which is expected to last for up to two months.

The book of evidence in the matter runs to hundreds of pages and up to 200 witnesses could potentially be called to offer evidence.

Mr Dooley of Hazelwood Drive, Killarney, Co Kerry was fatally assaulted minutes after he entered New Rath cemetery to attend the burial of a neighbour.

His wife, Siobhan, desperately tried to protect her husband and suffered serious injuries in the incident.

Dozens of shocked mourners fled the scene as the incident unfolded.

Mr Dooley was grievously injured in the incident and received emergency medical treatment at the scene before being rushed by ambulance to nearby University Hospital Kerry (UHK).

Such were the horrific nature of his injuries that doctors were unable to stabilise his condition and he was pronounced dead shortly after arrival.

His wife was treated at UHK for serious injuries.

Gardaí immediately launched a murder investigation and a number of arrests were made over the subsequent weeks.

Mr Dooley was buried in Tullamore, Co Offaly where his wife is originally from.

The 43-year-old was a well-known figure in Killarney and was the father of three sons and four daughters.

Of the six people who will now go on trial for his murder, several were well-known to Mr Dooley.

The include Daniel Dooley (42) of An Carraigin, Connolly Park, Tralee, Co Kerry; Thomas Dooley Snr (42) and Thomas Dooley Jnr (20) both of the Halting Site, Carrigrohane Road, Cork; Michael Dooley (28) of the Halting Site, Carrigrohane Road, Cork; Patrick Dooley (35) of Arbutus Grove Killarney, Co Kerry and a teenager.

The teenager cannot be named for legal reasons.

Ms Justice Ellen Ring has been appointed to deal with the trial and jury selection will commence at the Angelsea Street Courthouse in Cork on Wednesday morning.

The books of evidence in relation to the case were served over the previous three months.

The Central Criminal Court has previously heard that there was “a clear interest” in the deceased’s family being able to attend the trial with Cork chosen as the venue as a result.