Courts / Offaly / Report

Murder accused in "wrong place at wrong time", defence tells jury

Date
2016-08-02

Stage
Trial

Primary locality
Edenderry

County
Offaly

Summary

James Davy, aged 25, stands accused of murder after being present at the scene of Thomas 'Toddy' Dooley's death on 12 February 2014. He pleaded not guilty, as did co‑accused Sean Davy (21) and Matthew Cummins (22). The men entered Dooley's home through a window at about 5.30 am, drank with him, and at some point Dooley was beaten to death and attempts were made to set his body on fire. Pathologist Professor Marie Cassidy reported eight blows to Dooley's head and two blows to his body, fracturing ribs. Defence counsel Padraig Dwyer SC argued that Davy's presence alone does not prove intent to kill, and that the prosecution failed to establish such intent. Davy maintains he did not strike Dooley or attempt arson, and he denied any involvement in the killing. The trial continues with the judge scheduled to charge the jury the following day.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Murder accused in "wrong place at wrong time", defence tells jury. Charges or matters: murder. Procedural stage: trial

When:

February 12, 2014 Hearing Or Sentence
2016-08-02 Publication

Why: A 25-year-old man finds himself accused of murder because he was in the wrong place at the wrong time, a defence barrister told a jury at the Central Criminal Court today. Defence account reported by CNI