Forensic scientist presents blood and DNA evidence at Kerry murder trial
Thomas Dooley who was fatally wounded at an incident at Rath Cemetery in Tralee during a funeral service on October 5, 2022. Picture: Facebook
DNA evidence was presented on Thursday at the trial of five men and a teenager charged with the murder of a father of seven at a funeral in Tralee.
Forensic scientist, Sibéal Waldron of Forensic Science Ireland said the background information given to her was that the deceased was attacked with a number of implements or weapons and that he bled from his injuries and subsequently died.
She was also informed that one of the accused — Patrick Dooley — a brother of the deceased, told gardaí he bled from a hand injury sustained when defending his late brother.
Each of the accused denies the charge of murdering 43-year-old Tom Dooley of Hazelwood Drive, Killarney, at New Rath Cemetery, Rathass, Tralee, on October 5, 2022.
Five defendants, all with the surname Dooley — Patrick, 36, from Arbutus Grove, Killarney; Thomas, 43, from the halting site, Carrigrohane Rd; Thomas Jr, 21, from the halting site, Carrigrohane, Cork; Michael, 29, of the halting site, Carrigrohane, Cork, and Daniel, 42, of An Carraigin, Connolly Park, Tralee, Co Kerry — are on trial, as is the sixth defendant who is a teenager.
Only 21-year-old Thomas Dooley Jr 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 in respect of this count also.
Dr Waldron examined a machete recovered from the cemetery where the attack happened and she found no blood on it but she sampled the blade for DNA and found a match for 43-year-old Thomas Dooley Sr.
She examined clothing from Thomas Dooley (Jr) and found blood staining on his right runner near the heel matched DNA for the deceased. She also found blood which matched the defendant Thomas Dooley Jr’s own DNA on his own runner.
In respect of the teenager, his tracksuit pants were examined and a blood sample on the right leg matched the DNA of the deceased. Another blood stain on the right leg of the teenager’s pants matched the DNA of Patrick Dooley.
Clothing belonging to Michael Dooley was examined but no blood was found on any of them. Clothing belonging to Patrick Dooley was stained with his own blood, according to the witness.
A Canada Goose jacket was found in a white Peugeot van identified as a relevant vehicle during the investigation. Blood staining on the right sleeve matched Patrick Dooley, Dr Waldron said.
A hammer found in the van had blood staining on the handle which matched for Patrick Dooley.
The forensic scientist was told of evidence from the deceased man’s widow, Siobhán, that she scraped the face of one man in the cemetery. Swabs from under her fingernails showed her own DNA and the DNA of Thomas Dooley Sr.
The trial will continue with further forensic evidence on Friday June 28 before a jury which now consists of 14 members, including two substitute members, as one man from the original 15 jurors was excused from further participation. There are 12 men and two women on the jury.
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