Courts / Offaly / Report
Man who had 'Toddy' Dooley murder conviction quashed is released from prison
Summary
James Davy, originally convicted of the murder of 64‑year‑old Thomas 'Toddy' Dooley, had his conviction overturned by the Court of Appeal and replaced with a conviction for assisting an offender. Mr Justice Michael White at the Central Criminal Court sentenced Davy to nine years, noting he had served his sentence and should be released after entering custody in November 2014. Matthew Cummins, whose murder conviction was also quashed, will be sentenced for his role in an attempted cover‑up; his barrister said he accepts responsibility for attempting to set fire to the deceased after Dooley had been beaten to death by Sean Davy. Cummins' behaviour in prison has been described as "quite exceptional" and the judge is considering suspending part of his sentence and running it concurrently with sentences for other offences.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Man who had 'Toddy' Dooley murder conviction quashed is released from prison. Charges or matters: the murder in 2016 and failed in a bid to have his conviction overturned by the Court of Appeal. Procedural stage: appeal. Findings: Found guilty
When:
- November 2014 Hearing Or Sentence
- February 12, 2014 Hearing Or Sentence
- May 2014 Incident
- 2021-09-02 Publication
Case subjects
Appellant
Outcome: At today's sentence hearing, Detective Garda Joseph Hughes told prosecution counsel Patrick Treacy SC that Sean Davy, James Davy and Cummins had been drinking and taking cocaine before they decided to go to Mr Dooley's house in the early hours.
Appellant
Charges: the murder in 2016 and failed in a bid to have his conviction overturned by the Court of Appeal (Proven)
Finding: Found guilty
Outcome: Found guilty; At today's sentence hearing, Detective Garda Joseph Hughes told prosecution counsel Patrick Treacy SC that Sean Davy, James Davy and Cummins had been drinking and taking cocaine before they decided to go to Mr Dooley's house in the early hours.
Appellant
Charges: the murder in 2016 and failed in a bid to have his conviction overturned by the Court of Appeal (Alleged Or Contested)
Outcome: Mr Justice Michael White at the Central Criminal Court today sentenced Davy to nine years and said he has served his sentence and should be released, having gone into custody in November 2014. Matthew Cummins, who also had his conviction for murdering Mr Dooley overturned by the Court of Appeal, will be sentenced for his part in the attempted cover-up in two weeks to allow time for a probation report to be prepared for the court.
Places mentioned
- Court of Appeal
- Central Criminal Court
- Mr Dooley's house
- Toddy's house
Topics
Related court reports
- Court rejects child abuser's conviction appeal
- Teacher alleges women given preferential treatment in Masters programme 24 years ago
- Child rapist argues trial was unfair
- 'I refuse to remain silent anymore,' victim tells court as man jailed for repeated rapes
- Double killer claims gardai 'fabricated' murder case against him
- Woman repeatedly raped as child says she 'refuses to remain silent anymore'
If a fact, identity, locality or legal outcome needs review, email the newsroom with this report's details prefilled.
Email a correction request