Courts / Kerry / Report

Three jailed for 'honour killing' at Kerry funeral appeal convictions

Date
2026-01-12

Stage
Appeal

Primary locality
Tralee

County
Kerry

Summary

Three appellants, Thomas Dooley Jnr, Patrick Dooley, and Michael Dooley, appeared before the Court of Appeal to challenge their convictions for the murder of Thomas Dooley at Rath Cemetery, Tralee, on October 5, 2022. The State alleged the men participated in an honour killing using bladed weapons. All had pleaded not guilty. At trial, five defendants received life sentences, while a male teenager was found guilty of murder but not sentenced, as he was expected to seek judicial review. Thomas Dooley Jnr was also convicted of assault causing harm to Siobhán Dooley. Today, the court jailed him for four-and-a-half years for that assault, backdated to November 16, 2022, to run concurrently with his life sentence. Counsel for Thomas Dooley Jnr argued his arrest and detention were unlawful, while counsel for Patrick Dooley contended a leading question regarding a sword was improperly admitted. The appeal continues tomorrow before the three-judge court. The matter was adjourned and is not concluded.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Three jailed for 'honour killing' at Kerry funeral appeal convictions. Charges or matters: murdering Thomas Dooley at Rath Cemetery, Rathass, Tralee, Co Kerry on October 5, 2022; murder but not sentenced, as it was believed he was to seek a judicial review of his case. Procedural stage: appeal. Findings: Found guilty

When:

October 5, 2022 Incident
July 30, 2024 Incident
November 16, 2022 Incident
2026-01-12 Publication

Case subjects

Unnamed appellant

Appellant

Charges: murdering Thomas Dooley at Rath Cemetery, Rathass, Tralee, Co Kerry on October 5, 2022; murder but not sentenced, as it was believed he was to seek a judicial review of his case (Proven)

Plea: Not guilty

Finding: Found guilty

Outcome: Found guilty; by Ryan Dunne Three family members jailed for life for "an honour killing" in which father-of-seven Thomas 'Tom' Dooley was murdered during a Co Kerry funeral have appealed their convictions, citing alleged issues of unlawful arrest and "a leading question" being permitted into evidence. Five of the defendants were given life sentences by Ms Justice Mary Ellen Ring at Cork Courthouse on July 30, 2024, while the male teenager was found guilty of murder but not sentenced, as it was believed he was to seek a judicial review of his case.