Siobhán Dooley recounted the horrific incident where her partner told her to escape with their offspring while he was assaulted by a male group that taunted him as he lay wounded in a cemetery located in County Kerry. Accompanied by her spouse, Tom aged 43, and their four youngest children, they journeyed from their Killarney residence to pay last respects to their companion, Bridget O’Brien in Tralee, during which Tom was assaulted by several men wielding various weapons.
Despite all six males denying the accusation of murdering Tom Dooley, a seven-children’s father, at New Rath Cemetery, Rathass, Tralee on the 5th of October, 2022, they were all indicted before a courtroom jury and Ms Justice Mary Ellen Ring in Cork’s Central Criminal Court. Allegedly involved in this heinous act were Patrick Dooley (36) from Arbutus Grove, Killarney; Daniel Dooley (42) of An Carraigin, Connolly Park, Tralee; Thomas Dooley Snr (43), Thomas Dooley Jnr (21), and Michael Dooley (29) all from Carrigrohane Road, Cork; and an unnamed minor due to legal constraints.
As she was slightly behind her husband and their three little boys, Ms Dooley noticed some men as they were entering the cemetery. She identified her husband’s sibling, Patrick, and his relatives Tom Snr, who she also confirmed as the man brandishing two weapons while approaching Tom. Despite advising her husband to flee, he refused, stating he had no reason to. Ms Dooley reported saving her son from a weapon-wielding Thomas Jnr, resulting in her being cut under her arm. The attack on Tom involved his brother-in-law Tom (Dooley Snr) and Patrick pulling him by his coat’s collars as Michael stood behind him, also armed.
As her spouse lay defenceless on the ground, encircled by the menacing group of six, a desperate plea filled the air, urging her to flee with their young ones. Amongst the six men, she bore witness to Thomas Dooley Senior, referred to as Tom, nonchalantly laughing as he assaulted her husband’s leg with an unidentified weapon, whilst mocking him, “You’re a grand chap now.”
With a haunting final instruction from her spouse, ‘Run, simply run’, she was left with no choice but to safeguard her children, recounted Mrs. Dooley.
Mrs. Dooley narrated her frantic escape from the graveyard with her four little ones. With a heavy flow of traffic on the road, they made their way to Kellihers Shop and Garage. A police vehicle was parked outside the store, providing comfort that officers were nearby, perhaps in the vehicle or within the shop.
“I managed to get the kids inside the store, immediately calling the officer’s attention for aid, fearing that they’d take my spouse’s life,” Mrs. Dooley relayed. Upon the prosecution counsel, Dean Kelly SC’s request, she identified all six accused participants in the courtroom. The trial is ongoing.