Wednesday 28 October 2026Compiled from published reports. Every claim links to its source.

Ireland Crime

Every case followed from the first report to the sentence, or to where the reporting stopped.

Case No. 6976Murder · Co. Kerry · 5 Oct 2022

Man in his 60s arrested over fatal assault at Rathass Cemetery, Tralee

Thomas 'Tom' Dooley, a 43-year-old father-of-seven from Ballyspillane in Killarney, died on 5 October 2022 after he was assaulted and stabbed at Rathass Cemetery in Tralee, following a funeral. His wife, Siobhán Dooley, was also attacked in the same incident and was seriously injured. Multiple arrests have been made and five people have been charged with his murder, with a trial expected at the Central Criminal Court in Dublin in May 2024. On 6 December 2023, gardaí arrested a man in his 60s, who was being held at a Garda station in Kerry, and the investigation is ongoing.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrested6 Dec
  3. Charged
  4. In court
  5. Verdict
  6. Sentenced
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
  • Thomas 'Tom' Dooley, 43, a father-of-seven from Ballyspillane in Killarney, died after being assaulted.
  • Dooley's wife, Siobhán Dooley, was attacked in the same incident and seriously injured.
Where
The assault took place at Rathass Cemetery in Tralee after a funeral.
When
Gardaí describe the fatal assault as taking place on Wednesday, 5 October 2022.
Cause
Dooley died from multiple injuries after being fatally stabbed.
Other details
The funeral Dooley attended was the burial of Bridget O'Brien, a Killarney mother-of-five.
Investigation
  • Multiple arrests have been made in relation to the killing.
  • Gardaí say the investigation is ongoing.
  • On 6 December 2023, gardaí arrested a man in his 60s as part of the investigation.
  • The man in his 60s was being held at a Garda station in Kerry.
Charges
Five people have been charged with Thomas Dooley's murder.
In court
The trial is set to take place at the Central Criminal Court in Dublin in May 2024.
9 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatThomas 'Tom' Dooley, 43, was killed on 5 October 2022 after the burial of a Killarney mother-of-five. (irishmirror.ie)
  • whatDooley's wife, Siobhán Dooley, was also attacked in the same incident and was seriously injured. (irishmirror.ie)
  • whereDooley died from multiple injuries after being assaulted at Rathass Cemetery in Tralee after attending a funeral. (irishmirror.ie)
  • whenGardaí describe the fatal assault as taking place on Wednesday, 5 October 2022. (irishmirror.ie)
  • causeDooley was fatally stabbed after attending a funeral in Tralee. (irishmirror.ie)
  • investigationGardaí arrested a man in his 60s as part of the investigation and he is being held at a Garda station in Kerry. (irishmirror.ie)
  • investigationGardaí say the investigation is ongoing. (irishmirror.ie)
  • chargeFive people have been charged with Dooley's murder. (irishmirror.ie)
  • courtThe trial is set to take place at the Central Criminal Court in Dublin in May 2024. (irishmirror.ie)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 6 Dec2023
    Arrestedirishmirror.ie, first report
    Man arrested in connection with Kerry cemetery killing

    Reports the arrest of a man in his 60s on 6 December 2023, states that five people have been charged with murder, and gives the expected trial date at the Central Criminal Court.

    victim, Thomas 'Tom' Dooley, 43, male, irish (judged from name)Thomas 'Tom' Dooleyvictim, Siobhán Dooley, female, irish (judged from name)Siobhán Dooleysuspect, 60s, male