Courts / Kerry / Report

All six defendants now guilty of murder in 'macabre provincial tragedy' of Kerry funeral 'honour killing'

Summary

The Central Criminal Court has convicted all six defendants of the murder of Thomas Dooley, a 42-year-old father of seven, who was killed during a funeral at Rath Cemetery in Tralee, Co Kerry, on October 5, 2022. The jury, comprising ten men and two women, returned guilty verdicts after five days of deliberation. Daniel Dooley (42), the final defendant to be dealt with, was convicted by a majority verdict of 11-1 after pleading not guilty. He protested his innocence upon hearing the verdict. The other five defendants—Michael Dooley (29), Patrick Dooley (36), Thomas Dooley Senior (43), Thomas Dooley Junior (21), and a male teenager—were previously convicted unanimously, having also pleaded not guilty. The prosecution alleged the group acted in a joint enterprise to commit an "honour killing" using bladed weapons. Thomas Dooley Junior was additionally convicted of assault causing harm to the victim's wife, Siobhán Dooley, who sustained a shoulder wound requiring stitches. Ms Justice Mary Ellen Ring remanded the five adult defendants in custody until July 30, when she is expected to impose the mandatory life sentence for murder. The male teenager will not be sentenced on that date, as he is seeking a judicial review, and will appear for a mention on October 29. The judge exempted the jurors from service for 15 years.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: All six defendants now guilty of murder in 'macabre provincial tragedy' of Kerry funeral 'honour killing'. Charges or matters: murder; assault causing harm. Procedural stage: sentence. Findings: Convicted

When:

• October 5, 2022 Hearing Or Sentence
• Tuesday, July 30 Incident
• July 30 Adjournment
• October 29 Hearing Or Sentence
• October 5 Hearing Or Sentence
• 2024-07-25 Publication

Case subjects

Places mentioned

Topics

Stage Sentence Violent Crime

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Read the original CNI report