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. 5782Murder · Co. Kerry · 5 Oct 2022

Six accused arraigned over murder of Tom Dooley in Tralee, Co Kerry

Tom Dooley, a 43-year-old man from Killarney and father of seven, died in an incident alleged to have happened at Rath cemetery in Tralee, Co Kerry, on 5 October 2022 during a funeral. Five men and a teenager are charged with his murder: Patrick Dooley (39), Daniel Dooley (42), Thomas Dooley snr (43), Thomas Dooley jnr (21) and Michael Dooley (29), while the teenager cannot be named for legal reasons. All six were arraigned and denied the murder, and the trial is being heard at the Central Criminal Court in Cork. As of 29 May 2024, the court was told the trial could take up to eight weeks, with up to 200 witnesses, and is due to conclude by 31 July, with jury selection under way.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In court29 May
  5. Verdict
  6. Sentenced
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
Tom Dooley, a 43-year-old man and father of seven, died at a funeral in Co Kerry.
Where
The murder is alleged to have taken place at Rath cemetery in Tralee, Co Kerry.
When
The murder is alleged to have happened on 5 October 2022.
Other details
  • Tom Dooley was from Hazelwood Drive, Killarney, Co Kerry.
  • The accused men are Patrick Dooley (39), Daniel Dooley (42), Thomas Dooley snr (43), Thomas Dooley jnr (21) and Michael Dooley (29); the teenager cannot be named for legal reasons.
  • Dean Kelly SC is prosecuting the case.
Charges
Five men and a teenager are charged with the murder of Tom Dooley.
In court
  • All six accused denied the murder when arraigned before Ms Justice Mary Ellen Ring and the jury panel.
  • The trial is being heard at the Central Criminal Court sitting at the Criminal Courts of Justice on Anglesea Street in Cork.
  • Seven jurors were sworn in on the first day, with the rest of the panel due the following Tuesday.
  • Reports differ on length: one source says the trial could take up to eight weeks and hear from up to 200 witnesses, while another says it would take several weeks.
  • The trial is due to conclude by 31 July.
9 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatFive men and a teenager are on trial for the murder of a father of seven at a funeral in Co Kerry. (irishtimes.com)
  • whereThe murder took place at Rath cemetery in Tralee. (irishtimes.com)
  • whenThe murder is alleged to have happened on 5 October 2022. (irishtimes.com)
  • courtThe trial could take up to eight weeks and hear from up to 200 witnesses. (irishtimes.com)
  • courtAll six accused denied the murder when arraigned. (irishtimes.com)
  • courtThe trial is due to be concluded by 31 July. (irishtimes.com)
  • courtThe trial is being heard at the Central Criminal Court sitting in Cork. (irishtimes.com)
  • courtSeven jurors were sworn in on the first day, and the rest of the panel is due on the following Tuesday. (irishtimes.com)
  • otherDean Kelly SC is prosecuting the case. (irishtimes.com)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 29 May2024
    In courtirishtimes.com, first report
    Up to 200 witnesses could give evidence at Kerry funeral murder trial

    Reports the arraignment of the six accused and the start of jury selection. The judge said the trial would conclude by 31 July.

    victim, Tom Dooley, 43, male, irish (judged from name)Tom Dooleyaccused, Patrick Dooley, 39, male, named, irish (judged from name)Patrick Dooleyaccused, Daniel Dooley, 42, male, named, irish (judged from name)Daniel Dooleyaccused, Thomas Dooley snr, 43, male, named, irish (judged from name)Thomas Dooley snraccused, Thomas Dooley jnr, 21, male, named, irish (judged from name)Thomas Dooley jnraccused, Michael Dooley, 29, male, named, irish (judged from name)Michael Dooleyaccused, teenager