The legal proceedings against five men and a youth, who stand accused of killing a father of seven at a funeral in Co Kerry, could span as long as eight weeks. The jury was informed that the trial might feature testimonies from up to 200 witnesses. It was indicated by Ms Justice Mary Ellen Ring that the hearing of the matter involving the defendants charged in connection with Tom Dooley’s murder would conclude by 31st July.
The defendants, local to Killarney and Cork and composed of five adults and a minor, all pled not guilty when formally charged with the accused’s death before Ms Justice Ring and jurors at the Central Criminal Court located on Anglesea Street, Cork.
Tom Dooley’s alleged killers include Patrick Dooley from Arbutus Grove, Killarney, Daniel Dooley residing at An Carraigin, Connolly Park, Tralee, Thomas Dooley snr and Thomas Dooley jnr both living at a halting site on Carrigrohane Road, Cork, Michael Dooley, and a youth who cannot be identified due to legal conditions.
The jury was advised by Ms Justice Ring that each of the six accused will face identical charges relating to a murder that occurred at Rath cemetery, Tralee, on 5th October 2022. It was also revealed that one of the primary witnesses would be Bernadette Siobhán Dooley, widow of Tom Dooley.
While initially seven jurors took oath for the trial during the morning session, Ms. Justice Ring explained to the returned jurors that the court was unable to continue with the swearing-in process for the rest. She then requested the seven jurors to reconvene on Tuesday at 10.30 when the remainder of the jury is set to be sworn in.
Legal advocacy for the defendants will be provided by Dean Kelly SC for the prosecution, Brendan Grehan SC for Patrick Dooley, Brian McInerney SC representing Daniel Dooley, Tom Creed SC for Thomas Dooley snr, Vincent Heneghan SC for Thomas Dooley jnr, Ray Boland SC for Michael Dooley, and Jane Hyland SC for the juvenile.
At the memorial service in Tullamore, County Offaly, the departed Mr Dooley was commemorated by Fr Joe Gallagher, the Mass officiant, as a devoted spouse and parent to his three boys and four girls. At the point of his passing, his children’s ages spanned from as young as eight to as old as twenty-two.