MURDER RAP 

Second man, 41, appears in court charged with murder of dad-of-seven at Tralee funeral

• 18:01, 8 Oct 2022
• Updated: 18:03, 8 Oct 2022

A SECOND man has appeared in court charged with the murder of a dad-of-seven who was killed at a funeral.

Thomas Dooley, of Bay 10 Halting Site, Carrigrohane Road in Cork City, was brought before a special sitting of Kenmare District Court today in relation to the killing of his namesake and first cousin Thomas Dooley from Killarney.

The 41-year-old is charged with the murder of Tommy Dooley at Rath Cemetery, Tralee, County Kerry on October 5 contrary to common Law.

The accused as well as being the late Mr Dooley’s cousin is also his brother-in-law.

Detective Sergeant Ernie Henderson gave evidence of arrest, charge and caution.

The cop said the accused replied “no comment” when the murder charge was put to him.

Defending lawyer Clodagh McCarthy asked that Thomas Dooley would receive any necessary medical treatment and his prescribed medicines while on remand in custody.

She applied for free legal aid on behalf of her colleague, Cork based lawyer Frank Buttimer.

She said she would provide a statement of means in support of an application for free legal aid for the accused.

Sergeant Miriam Mulhall Nolan applied to have Thomas Dooley remanded in custody to appear again before Tralee District Court on October 12 by video link from the prison.

Judge David Waters remanded Dooley in custody to appear before the court on that date.

He also directed that the accused should receive medical attention as necessary while in custody.

On Friday, the victim’s younger brother appeared in the same court also charged with his murder.

Patrick Dooley, the younger brother of the victim, is also charged with the murder of Thomas Dooley at New Rath Cemetery, Tralee, County Kerry on Wednesday last contrary to common law.

‘I DIDN’T HARM MY BROTHER’

The 35-year-old married man, who appeared before Judge Dave Waters at Kenmare District Court, denied killing the 43 year old.

He told Detective Garda Mark O’Sullivan when charged: “I didn’t harm my brother at all in any way, that’s all I have to say”.

The married dad of one with an address at Arbutus Grove, Killarney appeared in court with a heavily bandaged hand. He was dressed in black and did not speak during the short hearing.

The accused man’s father Jim Dooley, along with Patrick’s wife Bridget, arrived together to the court hearing. Jim is also dad to victim Tommy.

MACHETETES & SLASH HOOKS FOUND IN CEMETARY

He was very well liked in his native Killarney where he was described as a true gentleman, so his violent death shocked the local community.

His wife Siobhan who was with him at the funeral of a young mum of five Bridget O’Brien who died in Killarney bravely tried to intervene to save her husband but suffered a number of slash type injuries herself.

Gardai found machetes and slash hooks during a forensic search of the cemetery.

Patrick Dooley was also remanded in custody to appear again before Tralee District Court next Wednesday October 12 via video link.

SPECIAL TRIBUTE

In both cases the District Court cannot hear a bail hearing when the accused is facing a murder charge so no bail application was made.

There was a large Garda presence outside the courthouse, in the centre of Kenmare town including members of the Armed Response Unit from Limerick for the duration of the short hearing.

In a special tribute to the dead man, balloons were released to his memory and prayers were offered at the Killarney estate where he lived with his wife Siobhan and family on Thursday night.

Heartbroken wife Siobhan, who was rushed to Kerry University Hospital was released from the hospital that night to attend the emotional vigil for her husband outside their family home.

She was comforted and supported by her children, relatives and friends, as dozens of balloons were released into the night sky in Killarney.

Funeral arrangements have yet to be announced for the late Tommy Dooley as large numbers of family and friends are expected to travel from abroad.