A trial has begun at the Central Criminal Court in Co Cork in which the prosecution alleges that a 42-year-old father of seven was murdered by a group of six people who included his brother and three of his first cousins.
Thomas Dooley died following an altercation at a funeral in Tralee, Co Kerry on 5 October 2022. His wife, Siobhán, was seriously injured in the same incident.
Thomas Dooley was described as a thoroughly decent man, a devoted and loving husband and father, who put his wife and children first.
The opening of the trial of six people – who are charged with his murder – was told by the prosecution that he died when he was attacked as he attended a funeral in Tralee on 5 October 2022.
He suffered what were described as savage injuries inflicted by a group acting with focused and “murderous ferocity”.
In an opening statement, the jury was told he suffered a 6.5cm stab wound to his back, which probably caused spinal shock, another 10.5cm stab wound to his thigh, which severed his femoral artery, and a chop wound to his right arm measuring 25cm.
Before the court are: 36-year old Patrick Dooley of 32 Arbutus Grove, Killarney, Co Kerry; 43-year old Thomas Dooley senior, of Bay 10, Halting Site, Carrigrohane Road, Co Cork; 21-year old Thomas Dooley junior, of Bay 10, Halting Site, Carrigrohane Road, Co Cork; 29-year old Michael Dooley of Bay 11, Halting Site, Carrigrohane Road, Co Cork; and 42-year old Daniel Dooley, of An Caraigín, Connolly Park, Tralee, Co Kerry.
The sixth person is a teenager.
All six have pleaded not guilty to the murder of Thomas Dooley.
Thomas Dooley junior has also pleaded not guilty to causing serious harm to Siobhán Dooley in the same incident.
A jury of 13 men and two women has been sworn to hear the trial.
Opening the case for the prosecution, senior counsel Dean Kelly told the jury it could not be said that Thomas Dooley had offered the slightest insult or provocation, or opened his mouth or raised his hand.
He said he was attacked with violence and ferocity by a group who were armed with bladed weapons and had inflicted grievous injuries on him.
Mr Kelly’s opening statement took almost an hour to deliver.
Afterwards, Ms Justice Mary Ellen Ring adjourned the case, warning jurors not to discuss it with others and not to search for it on social media.
The trial will resume tomorrow.
