Ireland Case No. 20625Impeding apprehension (cover-up of murder) · Co. Offaly · 12 Feb 2014
Sentence cut for impeding apprehension in Edenderry murder cover-up
Thomas 'Toddy' Dooley, a 64-year-old man, was beaten to death with a baseball bat at his home in Edenderry, Co Offaly, on 12 February 2014 by Sean Davy, while Matthew Cummins and James Davy helped cover up the killing by attempting to set the body on fire and disposing of the weapon. All three men were convicted of murder at a Central Criminal Court trial in 2016 and sentenced to life in prison. In July 2021, the Court of Appeal quashed the murder convictions of Cummins and James Davy, finding no evidence of a joint enterprise to kill, and substituted convictions for impeding the apprehension of Sean Davy. James Davy was sentenced to nine years in September 2021 and released, and in June 2023 the Court of Appeal reduced his sentence to eight years with the final two suspended, marked as served. Sean Davy's murder conviction stands and he is serving a life sentence.
- Reportednot reported
- Arrestednot reported
- Chargednot reported
- In court13 Jul
10 reports - Verdictnot reported
- Sentenced2 Sep
6 reports
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet
Key facts
consolidated from all reports- What happened
- Thomas 'Toddy' Dooley, 64, was beaten to death with a baseball bat at his home in Edenderry, Co Offaly, on 12 February 2014.
- Sean Davy struck Dooley eight times over the head with a baseball bat and twice in the torso, shattering his skull and fracturing three ribs.
- The three men attempted to cover up the murder by trying to set Dooley's body on fire and disposing of the baseball bat and other items in a clothes bin near Granary Court, Edenderry.
- Where
- The murder took place at Sr Senan Court, Edenderry, Co Offaly.
- When
- The three men entered Dooley's home through a window at about 5.30am on 12 February 2014.
- Weapon
- A baseball bat was used in the attack.
- Cause
- Dooley died from blunt force trauma wounds to the head.
- Charges
- James Davy and Matthew Cummins were convicted of impeding the apprehension of Sean Davy under Section 7(2) of the Criminal Law Act 1997.
- In court
- The Court of Appeal quashed the murder convictions of James Davy and Matthew Cummins in July 2021, finding no evidence of a joint enterprise to kill.
- Sentence
- James Davy was sentenced to nine years for impeding apprehension in September 2021 and released, and in June 2023 the Court of Appeal reduced his sentence to eight years with the final two suspended, marked as served.
- Matthew Cummins was sentenced to nine years with the final two suspended for impeding apprehension, consecutive with a two-year arson term, and released after seven years in custody.
- Other details
- Sean Davy's murder conviction stands and he is serving a life sentence.
- Matthew Cummins has 69 previous convictions and James Davy has 21 previous convictions.
208 statements extracted from the articles
- whatThomas Dooley suffered eight blows to his head which shattered his skull and left bone fragments in his brain (leinsterexpress.ie)
- whatTwo blows to his torso fractured three of his ribs (leinsterexpress.ie, irishtimes.com)
- whatThe attackers tried to set Dooley's body on fire after he died (leinsterexpress.ie, irishtimes.com)
- whatMatthew Cummins climbed in a window and opened another window to let the other two in (leinsterexpress.ie)
- whatDooley sat in his armchair, opened a can of Budweiser and drank with the intruders (leinsterexpress.ie)
- whatThomas 'Toddy' Dooley suffered eight blows to his head which shattered his skull, disfigured his face and left fragments of bone lodged in his brain. (offalyexpress.ie)
- whatTwo blows to his torso had fractured three of his ribs. (offalyexpress.ie)
- whatThe attackers tried to set Dooley on fire after he died. (offalyexpress.ie)
- whatCummins climbed in a window and then opened another window to let the other two in. (offalyexpress.ie)
- whatDooley sat down in his armchair, opened a can of Budweiser and drank with the intruders. (offalyexpress.ie)
- whatThomas 'Toddy' Dooley was a 64-year-old grandfather who was murdered. (rte.ie)
- whatMr Dooley suffered blows to his head and torso. (rte.ie)
- whatThomas Dooley suffered eight blows to his head which shattered his skull and left fragments of bone in his brain. (offalyexpress.ie)
- whatTwo blows to Dooley's torso fractured three of his ribs. (offalyexpress.ie, kildarenow.com, leinsterexpress.ie)
- whatAttempts were made to set Dooley's dead body on fire after the killing. (offalyexpress.ie)
- whatDooley suffered eight blows to his head which shattered his skull and left bone fragments in his brain (kildarenow.com)
- whatMatthew Cummins is 27 and lives at Churchview Heights, Edenderry, Co Offaly (kildarenow.com, offalyexpress.ie)
- whatSeán Davy is 26 and lives at Clonmullen Drive, Edenderry (kildarenow.com)
- whatJames Davy is 30 and lives at Thornhill Meadows, Celbridge, Co Kildare (kildarenow.com, offalyexpress.ie)
- whatThe baseball bat was in James Davy's possession and visible throughout the evening (kildarenow.com)
- whatThe three men drank with Dooley before the beating (kildarenow.com)
- whatThe Court of Appeal described the aftermath conduct as reprehensible and deeply unsavoury (kildarenow.com)
- whatThe three men had denied murdering Dooley at Sr Senan Court in Edenderry on 12 February 2014 (kildarenow.com)
- whatThe court found no evidence of a plan by James Davy and Matthew Cummins to murder Dooley (leinsterexpress.ie)
- whatDooley suffered eight blows to his head which shattered his skull, disfigured his face and left fragments of bone lodged in his brain (leinsterexpress.ie)
- whatThe baseball bat was in the possession of James Davy and visible throughout the evening (leinsterexpress.ie)
- whatThe two men had been in prison for almost five years at the time of the ruling (leinsterexpress.ie)
- whatThe court described the men's conduct in the aftermath as reprehensible and deeply unsavoury (leinsterexpress.ie)
- whatSeán Davy had previously failed in a bid to have his conviction overturned in 2018 (leinsterexpress.ie)
- whatMr Dooley suffered eight blows to his head which shattered his skull and left fragments of bone in his brain. (kildarenow.com)
- whatTwo blows to Mr Dooley's torso fractured three of his ribs. (kildarenow.com, offalyexpress.ie, leinsterexpress.ie)
- whatThe attackers tried to set Mr Dooley's body on fire after he died. (kildarenow.com, offalyexpress.ie, leinsterexpress.ie)
- whatJames Davy has 21 previous convictions including burglary, assault, criminal damage and possession of a knife. (kildarenow.com, leinsterexpress.ie)
- whatMatthew Cummins has 69 previous convictions, 12 of which occurred since the 2014 murder. (kildarenow.com)
- whatJames Davy has served the equivalent of a nine-year prison sentence. (kildarenow.com, leinsterexpress.ie)
- whatThe two men have been in prison for almost five years. (offalyexpress.ie)
- whatMr Dooley suffered eight blows to his head which shattered his skull, disfigured his face and left fragments of bone lodged in his brain. (offalyexpress.ie, leinsterexpress.ie)
- whatDavy has 21 previous convictions including burglary, assault, criminal damage and possession of a knife. (offalyexpress.ie)
- whatCummins has 69 previous convictions including criminal damage, burglary and arson, 12 of which occurred since 2014. (offalyexpress.ie)
- whatDavy has served the equivalent of a nine-year prison sentence. (offalyexpress.ie)
- whatDavy had offered a plea to impeding the prosecution in advance of the murder trial. (offalyexpress.ie)
- whatMatthew Cummins climbed in a window and then opened another window to let the other two in. (leinsterexpress.ie)
- whatMr Dooley sat in his armchair, opened a can of Budweiser and drank with the intruders. (leinsterexpress.ie)
- whatSean Davy beat Mr Dooley over the head eight times with a baseball bat. (kildarenow.com)
- whatThe three men attempted to cover up the murder by burning the body and disposing of the weapon. (kildarenow.com)
- whatThe three men were drinking and taking cocaine before going to Mr Dooley's house. (kildarenow.com)
- whatJames Davy had a baseball bat with him which he later said he needed for his own protection. (kildarenow.com, leinsterexpress.ie)
- whatMr Dooley's body was found fully clothed, sitting in his armchair, with scorch marks on his trousers and the armchair. (kildarenow.com)
- whatSean Davy beat Mr Dooley over the head eight times with a baseball bat and struck him twice in the torso. (leinsterexpress.ie)
- whatMr Dooley was sitting in an armchair in his sitting room when attacked. (leinsterexpress.ie)
- whatThe three men were drinking and taking cocaine before going to Mr Dooley's house in the early hours. (leinsterexpress.ie)
- whatMr Dooley's body was found some days later fully clothed, sitting in his armchair, with scorch marks on his trousers and the armchair. (leinsterexpress.ie)
- whatThe three men filled a plastic bag with items from the house and disposed of them in a clothes bin near Granary Court in Edenderry. (leinsterexpress.ie)
- whatThey also placed the baseball bat in the clothes bin. (leinsterexpress.ie)
- whatSean Davy beat Thomas Dooley over the head eight times with a baseball bat. (offalyexpress.ie)
- whatThe three men filled a plastic bag with items from the house and disposed of them in a clothes bin near Granary Court, Edenderry. (offalyexpress.ie)
- whatThe baseball bat was placed in the clothes bin. (offalyexpress.ie)
- whatMatthew Cummins attempted to set Thomas Dooley's body on fire. (offalyexpress.ie)
- whatThe three men were drinking and taking cocaine before going to Dooley's house. (offalyexpress.ie)
- whatMatthew Cummins was released from prison after serving seven years in custody (irishtimes.com)
- whatHis murder conviction was quashed by the Court of Appeal (irishtimes.com)
- whatHe admitted to helping the actual murderer by trying to set fire to the deceased (irishtimes.com)
- whatHe entered with two friends, James Davy and Sean Davy (irishtimes.com)
- whatHe had tried to set fire to the body to destroy evidence (irishtimes.com, kildarenow.com)
- whatCummins entered with two friends, James Davy and Sean Davy (kildarenow.com)
- whatSean Davy struck Mr Dooley eight times over the head with a baseball bat (kildarenow.com)
- whatCummins admitted he was responsible for burn marks on Mr Dooley's legs and the armchair (kildarenow.com)
- whatJames Davy's already-served sentence was cut by one year on appeal. (leinsterexpress.ie)
- whereThe murder took place at Sr Senan Court in Edenderry (leinsterexpress.ie, offalyexpress.ie, irishtimes.com)
- whereThe attack took place at Sr Senan Court, Edenderry. (rte.ie)
- whereThe murder took place at Sr Senan Court in Edenderry on 12 February 2014. (offalyexpress.ie, kildarenow.com)
- whereThe murder took place at Mr Dooley's home in Edenderry. (kildarenow.com)
- whereThe baseball bat and other items were disposed of in a clothes bin near Granary Court in Edenderry. (kildarenow.com)
- whereThomas Dooley was sitting in an armchair in his sitting room when attacked. (offalyexpress.ie)
- whereCummins is from Churchview Heights, Edenderry, Co Offaly (irishtimes.com)
- whereJames Davy is from Thornhill Meadows, Celbridge, Co Kildare (irishtimes.com)
- whereJames Davy is of Thornhill Meadows, Celbridge, Co Kildare (kildarenow.com)
- whereCummins is of Churchview Heights, Edenderry, Co Offaly (kildarenow.com)
- whereSean Davy is of Clonmullen Drive, Edenderry (kildarenow.com)
- whereThe victim was killed at his home in Co Offaly. (leinsterexpress.ie)
- whenThe three men entered the home through a window at about 5.30am on a cold, snowy morning (leinsterexpress.ie)
- whenThe three men entered Dooley's home through a window at about 5.30am on a cold, snowy morning. (offalyexpress.ie, kildarenow.com, leinsterexpress.ie)
- whenThe murder took place on 12 February 2014 (irishtimes.com, kildarenow.com)
- whenThe men entered Dooley's home through a window at about 5.30am on a cold, snowy morning (irishtimes.com)
- whenThe three men entered Mr Dooley's home through a window at about 5.30am. (rte.ie)
- whenThe three men entered Mr Dooley's home through a window at about 5.30am on a cold, snowy morning. (kildarenow.com, leinsterexpress.ie)
- whenBoth men had denied murdering Mr Dooley at Sr Senan Court in Edenderry on 12 February 2014. (offalyexpress.ie)
- whenJames Davy went into custody in November 2014. (kildarenow.com, leinsterexpress.ie, offalyexpress.ie)
- whenMatthew Cummins got into Mr Dooley's home through a window at about 5.30am on a cold, snowy morning. (kildarenow.com, leinsterexpress.ie)
- whenMatthew Cummins was aged 19 when he entered through a window of the house of Thomas 'Toddy' Dooley on 12 February 2014 (kildarenow.com)
- whenThe trial in 2016 heard Cummins got into Mr Dooley's home through a window at about 5.30am on a cold, snowy morning (kildarenow.com)
- whenThe victim was murdered on February 12, 2014. (leinsterexpress.ie)
- causeMr Dooley died from blunt force trauma wounds to the head. (kildarenow.com, leinsterexpress.ie)
- causeThomas Dooley died from blunt force trauma wounds to the head. (offalyexpress.ie)
- causeThe victim suffered eight blows to his head, which shattered his skull. (leinsterexpress.ie)
- weaponThomas Dooley was beaten to death with a baseball bat (irishtimes.com)
- weaponA baseball bat was used in the attack. (rte.ie)
- weaponThe baseball bat used in the attack was in the possession of James Davy throughout the evening. (offalyexpress.ie)
- weaponSean Davy struck Dooley eight times over the head with a baseball bat (irishtimes.com)
- weaponSean Davy struck the victim eight times over the head with a baseball bat. (leinsterexpress.ie)
- chargeThe substituted verdicts are under Section 7 subsection 2 of the Criminal Law Act 1997 (irishtimes.com)
- chargeThe substituted verdicts come under Section 7 Subsection 2 of the Criminal Law Act 1997, making it an offence to impede the apprehension or prosecution of a person believed or known to be guilty of an offence. (kildarenow.com)
- chargeThe offence is under section 7.2 of the Criminal Law Act 1997. (kildarenow.com, leinsterexpress.ie, offalyexpress.ie)
- chargeDavy's murder conviction was quashed and replaced with a lesser offence. (leinsterexpress.ie)
- chargeThe court substituted convictions for impeding the apprehension of Sean Davy. (leinsterexpress.ie)
- courtThe Court of Appeal overturned the murder verdicts and substituted convictions for impeding apprehension (leinsterexpress.ie, irishtimes.com)
- courtThe substituted verdicts fall under Section 7 Subsection 2 of the Criminal Law Act 1997 (leinsterexpress.ie)
- courtThe men were sent back to the Central Criminal Court for sentencing on the substituted verdicts (leinsterexpress.ie)
- courtThe oral judgement was delivered on Tuesday, July 13, by Court President Justice George Birmingham with Justices Edwards and Kennedy (leinsterexpress.ie)
- courtA unanimous jury found each man guilty of murder at a Central Criminal Court trial in 2016 (leinsterexpress.ie, irishtimes.com, rte.ie, offalyexpress.ie, kildarenow.com)
- courtSeán Davy failed in a 2018 bid to have his conviction overturned (leinsterexpress.ie)
- courtJames Davy and Matthew Cummins made applications to the Court of Appeal in May to have their convictions overturned (leinsterexpress.ie, offalyexpress.ie)
- courtThe Court of Appeal quashed the murder convictions and substituted them with convictions for impeding the apprehension or prosecution of a person. (offalyexpress.ie)
- courtThe substituted verdicts come under Section 7 Subsection 2 of the Criminal Law Act 1997. (offalyexpress.ie)
- courtThe court sent the two men back to the Central Criminal Court for sentencing on the substituted verdicts. (offalyexpress.ie)
- courtCourt President Justice George Birmingham presided with Justice John Edwards and Justice Isobel Kennedy. (offalyexpress.ie)
- courtA unanimous jury found each man guilty of murder following a Central Criminal Court trial in 2016. (offalyexpress.ie)
- courtSeán Davy failed in a bid to have his conviction overturned in 2018. (offalyexpress.ie, rte.ie)
- courtThe Court of Appeal was presided over by Justice George Birmingham with Justice John Edwards and Justice Isobel Kennedy (irishtimes.com)
- courtSeán Davey failed to have his conviction overturned in a 2018 appeal (irishtimes.com)
- courtJames Davey and Matthew Cummins made applications to the Court of Appeal in May to have their convictions overturned (irishtimes.com)
- courtThe court is expected to return a written judgement at a later date (irishtimes.com)
- courtThe Court of Appeal quashed the murder convictions for James Davy and Matthew Cummins and substituted convictions for assisting an offender. (rte.ie)
- courtThe court found there was no evidence of a joint enterprise to kill. (rte.ie)
- courtThe matter was sent back to the Central Criminal Court for sentencing. (rte.ie, offalyexpress.ie, kildarenow.com, leinsterexpress.ie)
- courtThe Court of Appeal found there was no evidence of a plan by James Davy and Matthew Cummins to murder Thomas Dooley. (offalyexpress.ie)
- courtThe court substituted the murder convictions with convictions for assisting an offender. (offalyexpress.ie)
- courtMs Justice Isobel Kennedy wrote the Court of Appeal judgment. (offalyexpress.ie)
- courtThe Court of Appeal found no evidence of a plan by James Davy and Matthew Cummins to murder Dooley (kildarenow.com)
- courtThe two men had their murder verdicts substituted with convictions for assisting an offender (kildarenow.com)
- courtSeán Davey failed in a 2018 bid to have his conviction overturned (kildarenow.com)
- courtThe Court of Appeal quashed the murder conviction and substituted a conviction for assisting an offender (kildarenow.com)
- courtThe Court of Appeal quashed the murder convictions and substituted convictions for assisting an offender under the Criminal Law Act 1997 (leinsterexpress.ie)
- courtThe court rejected the argument that the men should have been tried separately (leinsterexpress.ie)
- courtThe High Court granted bail to James Davy and refused bail to Matthew Cummins. (kildarenow.com, offalyexpress.ie, leinsterexpress.ie)
- courtThe Court of Appeal overturned the murder verdicts and substituted convictions for assisting an offender. (kildarenow.com, offalyexpress.ie)
- courtThe DPP is considering whether to appeal the quashing of the convictions to the Supreme Court. (kildarenow.com)
- courtBoth men were found guilty of murder at a Central Criminal Court trial in 2016. (kildarenow.com)
- courtSeán Davy, 26, was also found guilty of murder but failed to have his conviction overturned in 2018. (kildarenow.com)
- courtDavy was granted bail from 23 August on his own bond of €100. (kildarenow.com)
- courtDavy's bail conditions include a daily curfew of 7am to 10pm, carrying a mobile phone, staying out of Edenderry, and not applying for a duplicate passport. (kildarenow.com)
- courtThe sentencing hearing is set for 2 September 2021. (kildarenow.com)
- courtThe DPP is considering whether to appeal the Court of Appeal's decision to the Supreme Court. (offalyexpress.ie, leinsterexpress.ie)
- courtThe three-judge Court of Appeal ruled the two defendants were not in a joint enterprise to kill. (offalyexpress.ie)
- courtThe written Court of Appeal judgement was returned on 14 July. (offalyexpress.ie)
- courtThey were each found guilty of murder following a Central Criminal Court trial in 2016. (offalyexpress.ie)
- courtSeán Davy, 26, of Clonmullen Drive, Edenderry, was also found guilty of murder but failed to have his conviction overturned in 2018. (offalyexpress.ie)
- courtThe Court of Appeal sent the matter back to the Central Criminal Court for sentencing on 2 September. (offalyexpress.ie)
- courtThe Court of Appeal overturned the murder verdicts and substituted them with convictions for assisting an offender. (leinsterexpress.ie)
- courtThe three-judge appellate court ruled the two defendants were not in a joint enterprise to kill. (leinsterexpress.ie)
- courtThe written judgement from the Court of Appeal was returned on 14 July 2021. (leinsterexpress.ie)
- courtThe men were found guilty of murder following a Central Criminal Court trial in 2016. (leinsterexpress.ie)
- courtSeán Davy was also found guilty of murdering Mr Dooley but failed to have his conviction overturned in 2018. (leinsterexpress.ie)
- courtDavy's bail conditions include a daily curfew of 7am to 10pm, providing a mobile phone number to gardaí, staying out of Edenderry, and not applying for a duplicate passport. (leinsterexpress.ie)
- courtMatthew Cummins was refused bail and must remain in custody until his sentence hearing on 2 September. (leinsterexpress.ie)
- courtMatthew Cummins is to be sentenced in two weeks for his part in the attempted cover-up. (kildarenow.com)
- courtSean Davy was found guilty of murder in 2016 and failed to have his conviction overturned. (kildarenow.com, leinsterexpress.ie, offalyexpress.ie)
- courtThe judge noted Cummins's behaviour in prison has been quite exceptional and is considering suspending part of his sentence. (kildarenow.com)
- courtThe Court of Appeal overturned the murder convictions and substituted them with a conviction for assisting an offender. (leinsterexpress.ie)
- courtMatthew Cummins's sentencing is deferred by two weeks for a probation report. (leinsterexpress.ie)
- courtThe Court of Appeal found there was no evidence of a joint enterprise to murder Mr Dooley. (leinsterexpress.ie)
- courtThe Court of Appeal found both men guilty of a reprehensible attempt to cover up by burning the body and disposing of the weapon. (leinsterexpress.ie)
- courtMatthew Cummins is to be sentenced in two weeks to allow time for a probation report. (offalyexpress.ie)
- courtThe Court of Appeal overturned the murder convictions and substituted them with convictions for assisting an offender. (offalyexpress.ie)
- courtThe Court of Appeal found there was no evidence of a joint enterprise to murder. (offalyexpress.ie)
- courtThe Court of Appeal described the cover-up attempt as reprehensible. (offalyexpress.ie)
- courtThe Court of Appeal found no evidence of joint enterprise with Sean Davy to murder Dooley (irishtimes.com)
- courtThe court substituted murder convictions with convictions for impeding the apprehension of Sean Davy (irishtimes.com)
- courtCummins and James Davy were initially convicted of murder but their convictions were overturned by the Court of Appeal (kildarenow.com)
- courtThe court substituted their murder convictions with convictions for impeding the apprehension of Sean Davy (kildarenow.com)
- courtMs Justice Isobel Kennedy delivered the Court of Appeal's ruling (kildarenow.com)
- courtThe Court of Appeal found there was no evidence of joint enterprise to murder Mr Dooley (kildarenow.com)
- courtThe Court of Appeal in July 2021 overturned the murder convictions of James Davy and Mathew Cummins. (leinsterexpress.ie)
- courtThe judge said the trial judge should have given more emphasis to the mitigating factors and reduced the sentence by one year. (leinsterexpress.ie)
- sentenceTrial judge Ms Justice Margaret Heneghan sentenced each to life in prison on 10 October 2016 (irishtimes.com, rte.ie, kildarenow.com, leinsterexpress.ie)
- sentenceTrial judge Ms Justice Margaret Heneghan sentenced each man to life in prison on 10 October 2016. (offalyexpress.ie)
- sentenceJames Davy was granted bail from 23 August on his own bond of €100. (leinsterexpress.ie)
- sentenceJames Davy was sentenced to nine years for impeding apprehension. (kildarenow.com, leinsterexpress.ie, offalyexpress.ie)
- sentenceCummins was sentenced to four years with the final two suspended for offences committed less than a month after the murder. (kildarenow.com, leinsterexpress.ie)
- sentenceJames Davy has served his sentence and was released from prison. (offalyexpress.ie)
- sentenceMr Justice Michael White sentenced Cummins to nine years in prison with the final two suspended (irishtimes.com, kildarenow.com)
- sentenceThe sentence was to run consecutively with a two-year term for arson received in 2014 (irishtimes.com)
- sentenceThe sentence was to run consecutively with a two-year term for arson (kildarenow.com)
- sentenceDavy was re-sentenced to eight years' imprisonment with the final two years suspended and marked as served. (leinsterexpress.ie)
- sentenceSean Davy failed to overturn his murder conviction and is serving a life sentence. (leinsterexpress.ie)
- otherThe three men had been in prison for almost five years (irishtimes.com)
- otherThe court described the men's conduct in the aftermath as reprehensible. (rte.ie)
- otherThe two men had been in prison for almost five years. (rte.ie, kildarenow.com)
- otherThe efforts to burn the body, steal property and dispose of incriminating items were described as deeply unsavoury. (rte.ie)
- otherJames Davy said he needed the baseball bat for protection as he had been beaten up the last time he came to Edenderry. (rte.ie)
- otherJames Davy and Matthew Cummins had been in prison for almost five years at the time of the ruling. (offalyexpress.ie)
- otherMatthew Cummins has 69 previous convictions, 12 of which occurred since Mr Dooley's murder in 2014. (leinsterexpress.ie)
- otherMatthew Cummins has 69 previous convictions. (kildarenow.com, offalyexpress.ie)
- otherJames Davy has 21 previous convictions, none of which post-date the offences relating to Mr Dooley. (kildarenow.com)
- otherJames Davy penned an apology to Mr Dooley's family and accepted responsibility for helping to dispose of items including the baseball bat. (kildarenow.com)
- otherCummins has 69 previous convictions. (leinsterexpress.ie)
- otherJames Davy has 21 previous convictions, none of which post-date the Dooley offences. (leinsterexpress.ie)
- otherJames Davy has 21 previous convictions. (offalyexpress.ie)
- otherJames Davy penned an apology to Dooley's family and accepted responsibility for disposing of items including the baseball bat. (offalyexpress.ie)
- otherSean Davy is a cousin of James Davy. (offalyexpress.ie)
- otherCummins has been in custody since 2014 and is now eligible for release (irishtimes.com, kildarenow.com)
- otherJames Davy was released from custody two weeks ago having served his full prison term (irishtimes.com, kildarenow.com)
- otherSean Davy has failed to have his murder conviction overturned and is serving a life sentence (irishtimes.com)
- otherMr Justice White said Cummins's behaviour in prison has been exemplary (kildarenow.com)
- otherCummins is still at high risk of reoffending due to possible drug and alcohol addiction (kildarenow.com)
- otherSean Davy has failed in a bid to have his murder conviction overturned and is serving a life sentence (kildarenow.com)
- otherCummins admitted he was responsible for burn marks found on the victim's legs and the armchair. (leinsterexpress.ie)
- otherJames Davy was released from custody in September 2021. (leinsterexpress.ie)
The reporting
newest first- 20 Jun2023Man who covered up Midlands murder has sentence cut
Reports the Court of Appeal ruling that reduced James Davy's sentence by one year and re-sentenced him to eight years with the final two suspended, marked as served. Adds the appeal court's reasoning, the mitigation found, and Sean Davy's continuing life sentence.
victim, Thomas 'Toddy' Dooley, 64, male, irish (judged from name)Thomas 'Toddy' Dooleyconvicted, James Davy, 32, male, named, irish (judged from name)James Davyconvicted, Mathew Cummins, 29, male, named, irish (judged from name)Mathew Cumminsconvicted, Sean Davy, 28, male, named, irish (judged from name)Sean Davy - 16 Sep2021Man wrongly convicted of Edenderry murder is released from prison
Reports that Matthew Cummins was released from prison after serving seven years, having been sentenced to nine years (two suspended) for impeding apprehension, consecutive with a two-year arson term. Mr Justice White noted his exemplary prison behaviour but warned of reoffending risk due to possible drug and alcohol addiction. Also notes James Davy was released two weeks earlier and Sean Davy is serving a life sentence.
victim, Thomas 'Toddy' Dooley, 64, male, irish (judged from name)Thomas 'Toddy' Dooleysuspect, Matthew Cummins, 27, male, named, irish (judged from name)Matthew Cumminssuspect, James Davy, 30, male, named, irish (judged from name)James Davysuspect, Sean Davy, 26, male, named, irish (judged from name)Sean Davy - 16 Sep2021Man who had murder conviction quashed is released from prison
Details Cummins's sentencing (nine years, two suspended, consecutive with two-year arson term), his release after seven years in custody, the judge's comments on his exemplary prison behaviour and risk of reoffending, and the status of co-defendants James Davy (released) and Sean Davy (serving life for murder).
victim, Thomas 'Toddy' Dooley, male, irish (judged from name)Thomas 'Toddy' Dooleyconvicted, Matthew Cummins, 27, male, named, irish (judged from name)Matthew Cumminsconvicted, Sean Davy, 26, male, named, irish (judged from name)Sean Davyconvicted, James Davy, 30, male, named, irish (judged from name)James Davy - 3 Sep2021Man who helped to dispose of weapon in Offaly murder released from prison
Reports James Davy's sentencing to nine years for impeding apprehension and his immediate release, Matthew Cummins's upcoming sentencing, and provides extensive detail on the Court of Appeal ruling that overturned the murder convictions and substituted convictions for assisting an offender under section 7.2 of the Criminal Law Act 1997.
victim, Thomas 'Toddy' Dooley, 64, male, irish (judged from name)Thomas 'Toddy' Dooleyconvicted, Sean Davy, 26, male, named, irish (judged from name)Sean Davyconvicted, James Davy, 30, male, named, irish (judged from name)James Davyconvicted, Matthew Cummins, 27, male, named, irish (judged from name)Matthew Cummins - 3 Sep2021Man who helped to dispose of weapon in midlands murder is released from jail
Reports the 2 September 2021 sentencing hearing at the Central Criminal Court where James Davy was sentenced to nine years for impeding apprehension and released, and Matthew Cummins's sentencing was deferred by two weeks for a probation report. Includes detailed background on the Court of Appeal ruling overturning the murder convictions.
victim, Thomas 'Toddy' Dooley, 64, male, irish (judged from name)Thomas 'Toddy' Dooleyconvicted, Sean Davy, 26, male, named, irish (judged from name)Sean Davyconvicted, James Davy, 30, male, named, irish (judged from name)James Davyconvicted, Matthew Cummins, 27, male, named, irish (judged from name)Matthew Cummins - 2 Sep2021Kildare man who helped to dispose of murder weapon in Edenderry case is released
James Davy sentenced to nine years for impeding apprehension and released on 2 September 2021; Matthew Cummins to be sentenced in two weeks; detailed account of the Court of Appeal ruling overturning the murder convictions and substituting assisting an offender, plus trial evidence on the circumstances of the killing and cover-up.
victim, Thomas 'Toddy' Dooley, 64, male, irish (judged from name)Thomas 'Toddy' Dooleysuspect, Sean Davy, 26, male, named, irish (judged from name)Sean Davysuspect, James Davy, 30, male, named, irish (judged from name)James Davysuspect, Matthew Cummins, 27, male, named, irish (judged from name)Matthew Cummins - 6 Aug2021Man who had conviction for murder of midlands man quashed released on bail
Bail hearing at the High Court after the Court of Appeal quashed the murder convictions and substituted them with convictions for assisting an offender under Section 7(2) of the Criminal Law Act 1997. James Davy granted bail; Matthew Cummins refused. DPP considering Supreme Court appeal. Sentencing set for 2 September 2021.
victim, Thomas 'Toddy' Dooley, 64, male, irish (judged from name)Thomas 'Toddy' Dooleyconvicted, James Davy, 30, male, named, irish (judged from name)James Davyconvicted, Matthew Cummins, 27, male, named, irish (judged from name)Matthew Cumminsconvicted, Seán Davy, 26, male, named, irish (judged from name)Seán Davy - 6 Aug2021Bail granted to Kildare man who had conviction for murder of Offaly man quashed
High Court bail hearing: Davy granted bail from 23 August on his own bond of €100 with conditions (daily curfew 7am–10pm, mobile phone, stay out of Edenderry, no duplicate passport); Cummins refused bail and must remain in custody until 2 September sentencing. DPP considering Supreme Court appeal. Court of Appeal judgement details elaborated, including the finding of no joint enterprise and the 'reprehensible' conduct in the aftermath.
victim, Thomas 'Toddy' Dooley, 64, male, irish (judged from name)Thomas 'Toddy' Dooleyconvicted, James Davy, 30, male, named, irish (judged from name)James Davyconvicted, Matthew Cummins, 27, male, named, irish (judged from name)Matthew Cumminsconvicted, Seán Davy, 26, male, named, irish (judged from name)Seán Davy - 6 Aug2021Bail granted to Kildare man who had conviction for murder of Edenderry 64-year-old quashed
High Court bail hearing on 6 August 2021: Davy granted bail from 23 August on €100 bond with conditions; Cummins refused bail and remanded until 2 September sentencing. DPP considering Supreme Court appeal of the Court of Appeal's quashing of murder convictions.
victim, Thomas 'Toddy' Dooley, 64, male, irish (judged from name)Thomas 'Toddy' Dooleyaccused, James Davy, 30, male, named, irish (judged from name)James Davyaccused, Matthew Cummins, 27, male, named, irish (judged from name)Matthew Cumminsaccused, Seán Davy, 26, male, named, irish (judged from name)Seán Davy - 15 Jul2021Efforts to burn body of murdered midlands man were 'reprehensible and deeply unsavoury'
Reports the Court of Appeal written judgement quashing the murder convictions and substituting assisting an offender convictions, with the matter remitted to the Central Criminal Court for sentencing.
victim, Thomas 'Toddy' Dooley, 64, male, irish (judged from name)Thomas 'Toddy' Dooleysuspect, James Davy, 30, male, named, irish (judged from name)James Davysuspect, Matthew Cummins, 27, male, named, irish (judged from name)Matthew Cumminssuspect, Seán Davy, 26, male, named, irish (judged from name)Seán Davy - 15 Jul2021Efforts to burn body of murdered Midlands man and dispose of incriminating items were 'reprehensible and deeply unsavoury'
Reports the Court of Appeal ruling quashing the murder convictions of James Davy and Matthew Cummins and substituting convictions for assisting an offender; case remitted to the Central Criminal Court for sentencing.
victim, Thomas 'Toddy' Dooley, 64, male, irish (judged from name)Thomas 'Toddy' Dooleyconvicted, James Davy, 30, male, named, irish (judged from name)James Davyconvicted, Matthew Cummins, 27, male, named, irish (judged from name)Matthew Cumminsconvicted, Seán Davy, 26, male, named, irish (judged from name)Seán Davy - 15 Jul2021Two men who had convictions quashed for 'savage' murder of an Offaly grandfather were not in a 'joint enterprise' to kill
Court of Appeal quashed murder convictions of James Davy and Matthew Cummins, finding no evidence of joint enterprise to kill, and substituted convictions for assisting an offender; matter remitted to Central Criminal Court for sentencing.
victim, Thomas 'Toddy' Dooley, 64, male, irish (judged from name)Thomas 'Toddy' Dooleyconvicted, James Davy, 30, male, named, irish (judged from name)James Davyconvicted, Matthew Cummins, 27, male, named, irish (judged from name)Matthew Cumminsconvicted, Seán Davy, 26, male, named, irish (judged from name)Seán Davy - 14 Jul2021Two have convictions quashed over 2014 Offaly murder
The Court of Appeal quashed the murder convictions for James Davy and Matthew Cummins, substituting convictions for assisting an offender. The case is sent back to the Central Criminal Court for sentencing. Seán Davy's murder conviction stands.
victim, Thomas 'Toddy' Dooley, 64, male, irish (judged from name)Thomas 'Toddy' Dooleysuspect, James Davy, 30, male, named, irish (judged from name)James Davysuspect, Matthew Cummins, 27, male, named, irish (judged from name)Matthew Cumminssuspect, Seán Davy, 26, male, named, irish (judged from name)Seán Davy - 13 Jul2021Two men jailed for life for murder of Co Offaly man have convictions quashed
Reports the Court of Appeal's oral judgment quashing the three murder convictions and substituting impeding apprehension under Section 7(2) of the Criminal Law Act 1997, with Cummins and James Davy to be resentenced at the Central Criminal Court. Includes details of the trial, the appeal arguments, and the DPP's response.
victim, Thomas 'Toddy' Dooley, 64, male, irish (judged from name)Thomas 'Toddy' Dooleyconvicted, Matthew Cummins, 27, male, named, irish (judged from name)Matthew Cumminsconvicted, Seán Davy, 26, male, named, irish (judged from name)Seán Davyconvicted, James Davy, 30, male, named, irish (judged from name)James Davy - 13 Jul2021Two men have convictions quashed for Offaly murder
Court of Appeal ruling quashing the murder convictions of Cummins and James Davy and substituting impeding apprehension convictions; the two men were sent back to the Central Criminal Court for sentencing. Seán Davy's earlier 2018 appeal had failed.
victim, Thomas 'Toddy' Dooley, 64, male, irish (judged from name)Thomas 'Toddy' Dooleyaccused, Matthew Cummins, 27, male, named, irish (judged from name)Matthew Cumminsaccused, Seán Davy, 26, male, named, irish (judged from name)Seán Davyaccused, James Davy, 30, male, named, irish (judged from name)James Davy - 13 Jul2021Midlands men jailed for life for murdering a grandfather with a baseball bat have convictions overturned
Court of Appeal quashed murder convictions and substituted impeding apprehension convictions under Section 7(2) of the Criminal Law Act 1997; men sent back to Central Criminal Court for sentencing.
victim, Thomas 'Toddy' Dooley, 64, male, irish (judged from name)Thomas 'Toddy' Dooleyconvicted, Matthew Cummins, 27, male, named, irish (judged from name)Matthew Cumminsconvicted, Seán Davy, 26, male, named, irish (judged from name)Seán Davyconvicted, James Davy, 30, male, named, irish (judged from name)James Davy