Ireland Case No. 5329Murder · Co. Kerry · 5 Oct 2022
Five men sentenced to life for murder of Thomas Dooley at Tralee cemetery
On 5 October 2022, Thomas Dooley (43), a father of seven from Ballyspillane, Killarney, was fatally injured at Rath Cemetery in Tralee, Co Kerry, while attending a funeral. Six men pleaded not guilty to his murder and were convicted by a jury. On 30 July 2024 at the Central Criminal Court, Ms Justice Mary Ellen Ring gave five men life sentences, and Thomas Dooley Jnr also received 4½ years, concurrent, for assault causing harm to Siobhán Dooley. A sixth accused, a teenager convicted of murder, has not yet been sentenced, is due back before the court on 29 October, and is expected to seek a judicial review.
- Reportednot reported
- Arrestednot reported
- Chargednot reported
- In courtnot reported
- Verdictnot reported
- Sentenced30 Jul
2 reports
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet
Key facts
consolidated from all reports- What happened
- Thomas Dooley, 43, was attacked by six men as he attended the funeral of a family friend.
- Siobhán Dooley, his wife, was wounded from her right shoulder to her armpit during the attack.
- Thomas Dooley told his wife to run so she could be saved.
- Where
- The attack took place at Rath Cemetery, Rathass, Tralee, Co Kerry.
- When
- The attack took place on 5 October 2022.
- Cause
- The court described the killing as an honour killing.
- Tension arose between the family and one of the accused after a relationship broke down.
- Weapon
- The attackers were armed with bladed weapons, and Patrick Dooley had a knife.
- Other details
- A postmortem found two stab wounds, a chop wound to the right arm, an incised wound to the right thigh and blunt force injuries.
- Charges
- Six defendants pleaded not guilty to murdering Thomas Dooley and were convicted by a jury.
- In court
- The case was heard at the Central Criminal Court, where Ms Justice Mary Ellen Ring passed sentence.
- Sentence
- Five men were sentenced to life imprisonment, backdated to when each entered custody: Patrick Dooley (36), Thomas Dooley Snr (43), Thomas Dooley Jnr (21), Michael Dooley (29) and Daniel Dooley (42).
- Thomas Dooley Jnr was sentenced to 4½ years for assault causing harm to Siobhán Dooley, to run concurrently with his life sentence.
- A sixth accused, a juvenile, was convicted of murder but has not been sentenced; he is due back before the court for mention on 29 October and is expected to seek a judicial review.
28 statements extracted from the articles
- whatThomas Dooley was attacked by six men as he attended a funeral. (irishmirror.ie)
- whatSiobhan Dooley was wounded from her right shoulder to her armpit during the attack. (irishmirror.ie)
- whatThomas Dooley told his wife to run so she could be saved. (irishmirror.ie)
- whereThomas Dooley was attacked at Rath Cemetery, Rathass, Tralee, Co Kerry. (irishmirror.ie)
- whereThe attack took place at a graveyard in Tralee, Co Kerry. (irishtimes.com)
- whenThe murder took place on 5 October 2022. (irishmirror.ie)
- whenThe attack took place on 5 October 2022. (irishtimes.com)
- causeThe killing was described by the court as an honour killing. (irishmirror.ie)
- causeTension had arisen between the family and one of the accused after a relationship broke down. (irishtimes.com)
- weaponThe attackers were armed with bladed weapons. (irishmirror.ie)
- weaponPatrick Dooley had a knife. (irishtimes.com)
- chargeThe six defendants pleaded not guilty to murdering Thomas Dooley. (irishmirror.ie)
- courtThe six defendants were convicted by a jury. (irishmirror.ie)
- courtMs Justice Mary Ellen Ring passed sentence on the five men. (irishmirror.ie)
- courtThe case was heard at the Central Criminal Court. (irishtimes.com)
- sentenceFive of the defendants were given life sentences. (irishmirror.ie)
- sentenceThe life sentences were backdated to when each defendant went into custody. (irishmirror.ie)
- sentenceThomas Dooley Junior was jailed for four and a half years for assault causing harm to Siobhan Dooley. (irishmirror.ie)
- sentenceThe male teenager convicted of murder was not sentenced and is expected to seek a judicial review. (irishmirror.ie)
- sentenceFive men were sentenced to life imprisonment for the murder of Thomas Dooley. (irishtimes.com)
- sentenceThomas Dooley Jnr was sentenced to 4½ years for causing harm to Ms Dooley, to run concurrently with his life sentence. (irishtimes.com)
- sentenceA sixth accused, a juvenile, was convicted of murder and will be sentenced later this year. (irishtimes.com)
- otherThomas Dooley was 43 years old. (irishmirror.ie)
- otherThe teenager is due back before the court for mention on 29 October. (irishmirror.ie)
- otherThe judge said no explanation could excuse the killing. (irishmirror.ie)
- otherThomas Dooley was attending the funeral of a family friend when he was fatally injured. (irishtimes.com)
- otherA postmortem found two stab wounds, a chop wound to the right arm, an incised wound to the right thigh, and blunt force injuries. (irishtimes.com)
- otherThe judge said the convicted men's protestations of innocence did not change the outcome. (irishtimes.com)
The reporting
newest first- 30 Jul2024Thomas Dooley murder: Woman recalls ‘horror show’ attack on husband as five of his relatives receive life sentences
Reports the life sentences for five men at the Central Criminal Court and the murder conviction of a sixth, juvenile accused who will be sentenced later. Gives the victim impact statement and the court's remarks.
victim, Thomas Dooley, 43, male, irish (judged from name)Thomas Dooleyvictim, femaleconvicted, Patrick Dooley, 36, male, named, irish (judged from name)Patrick Dooleyconvicted, Thomas Dooley Snr, 43, male, named, irish (judged from name)Thomas Dooley Snrconvicted, Thomas Dooley Jnr, 21, male, named, irish (judged from name)Thomas Dooley Jnrconvicted, Daniel Dooley, 42, male, named, irish (judged from name)Daniel Dooleyconvicted, Michael Dooley, 29, male, named, irish (judged from name)Michael Dooleyconvicted, male - 30 Jul2024Widow tells of 'horror' as five men get life sentences for Thomas Dooley murder
Reports the sentencing of five men to life imprisonment after a jury convicted six defendants, including a teenager who was not sentenced. Also reports a 4.5-year sentence for assault causing harm on Siobhan Dooley and victim impact statements from the family.
victim, Thomas Dooley, 43, male, irish (judged from name)Thomas Dooleyvictim, Siobhán Dooley, 45, female, irish (judged from name)Siobhán Dooleyconvicted, Patrick Dooley, 36, male, named, irish (judged from name)Patrick Dooleyconvicted, Thomas Dooley Senior, 43, male, named, irish (judged from name)Thomas Dooley Seniorconvicted, Thomas Dooley Junior, 21, male, named, irish (judged from name)Thomas Dooley Juniorconvicted, Michael Dooley, 29, male, named, irish (judged from name)Michael Dooleyconvicted, Daniel Dooley, 42, male, named, irish (judged from name)Daniel Dooleyconvicted, teenager, male