Jury in Kerry graveyard murder trial to begin deliberations on Tuesday

The judge reviewed the important evidence of the witnesses present in the graveyard because it had been about a month since they heard it

The late Thomas Dooley died at New Rath Cemetery, Rathass, Tralee, on October 5, 2022. Picture via Facebook

The presiding judge in the Tralee cemetery murder trial told the jury on Friday that they would be in a position to commence their deliberations on Tuesday.

The judge said she was going into some detail on reviewing the evidence of the witnesses present in the graveyard because of its importance and the fact that it had been about a month since they heard it.

Ms Justice Ellen Ring’s address to the jury went into its third day on Friday, the 28th day of the trial.

The Central Criminal Court will not be sitting in Cork on Monday, July 15, so the jury was told to return at 10am on July 16. 

The judge said on Friday afternoon as she concluded the trial for the day: “I am near — you will be happy to hear — the end. We are getting close but we are not there yet, ladies and gentlemen. I will, on Tuesday morning, come hell or high water, conclude my summary of the evidence and you will be in a position to commence your deliberations.” 

The jury now consists of 11 men and two women. It will not be until the jury retire to commence their deliberations that the 13th juror — the last remaining substitute — will be discharged.

All six accused face the same charge of murdering 43-year-old Tom Dooley from Hazelwood Drive, Killarney, at New Rath Cemetery, Rathass, Tralee, on October 5, 2022. All six of the accused who are on trial deny the charge of murder. 

Five defendants in the case — all with the surname Dooley — Patrick, 36, from Arbutus Grove, Killarney; Thomas Sr., 43, from the halting site, Carrigrohane Road; 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, County Kerry, are on trial, as is the sixth defendant who is a teenager.

Only 21-year-old Thomas Dooley Jr faces the second charge of assault causing harm to Siobhán Dooley, the wife of the deceased man.