Kerry murder trial hears victim died from sharp force injuries and cardiac arrest

Thomas Dooley, left, and his wife, Siobhan.

 The 43-year-old father of seven who was attacked while attending a funeral in Tralee lost his life as a result of sharp force injuries, blood loss, and cardiac arrest, the pathologist told the murder trial on Wednesday.

Five men and a teenager deny murdering 43-year-old Tom Dooley from Hazelwood Drive, Killarney, at New Rath Cemetery, Rathass, Tralee, on October 5, 2022.

State pathologist Dr SallyAnne Collis concluded: “In my opinion, Thomas Dooley’s death was due to sharp force injuries resulting in blood loss (haemorrhage), hypovolaemic shock and cardiorespiratory arrest.” 

The pathologist said she was informed by way of background that there had been an altercation in the graveyard and that Thomas Dooley sustained a number of injuries after which resuscitation attempts were unsuccessful and death was pronounced in hospital. In terms of underlying conditions he had diabetes, hypertension, and depression.

The pathologist found a number of sharp force injuries and said the deceased had gone into cardiac arrest at the scene.

She visited the scene of the incident in the graveyard with garda officers in white protective suits, footwear, and masks and could see bloodstains on the grass which she described as being variously clotted and in spots. She was informed that a machete was recovered in a grassy area adjacent to the vicinity.

To the back of the body of the deceased, directly over the spine, a 5.8cm wide, 6.5cm deep wound was found. To the right upper arm there was what was described as a 25.5 cm chop wound which was 5cm wide and 13cm deep. Dr Collis found another wound to the right upper thigh which cut through the right femoral artery. This wound was 10.6cm long, 3.5cm wide and 10.5cm deep. There was also a 7.8 cm and 2 cm wide wound to the upper thigh.

Spinal shock

In summary, the four sharp wounds consisted of two stab wounds, one incised wound, and one chop wound and the pathologist said that the deceased would have experienced spinal shock and collapse. The degree of force required to inflict the injuries was described as varying from moderate to severe.

The pathologist said it was difficult to determine the type of blade used to inflict the various injuries. She suggested that the chop and incised wounds could have been inflicted with a machete or similar weapon.

A number of sites of bruising were identified on the body of the deceased resulting from blunt force trauma. Dr Collis said the most significant blunt force trauma was to the back of the late Thomas Dooley’s head. She added that because of the deceased man’s underlying medical conditions he would have been slightly more vulnerable to blood loss.

Defence senior counsel Tom Creed suggested that the evidence of Thomas Dooley’s widow of blood gushing out of the deceased while lying on the ground in the cemetery that morning would be consistent with the severing of the femoral artery, and Dr Collis agreed.

Five defendants in the case — all with the surname Dooley — Patrick, 36, from Arbutus Grove, Killarney; Thomas, 43, from the halting site, Carrigrohane Road; Thomas Jnr, 21, from the halting site, Carrigrohane, Cork; Michael, 29, of the halting site, Carrigrohane, Cork, and Daniel, 42, of An Carraigin, Connolly Park, Tralee, County Kerry, are on trial, as is the sixth defendant who is a teenager.

Only 21-year-old Thomas Dooley Jnr faces the second charge that he intentionally or recklessly caused serious harm to Siobhán Dooley, the wife of the deceased man. He has pleaded not guilty plea in respect of this count also.

The trial was in its twelfth day today before Ms Justice Mary Ellen Ring and the jury, including three substitute members, consisting of 13 men and two women at the Central Criminal Court sitting in Cork.