Jury in Kerry graveyard murder trial to start deliberations on Wednesday

Judge told jurors in effect they were dealing with six separate murder trials: 'It is not a game of dominoes — one down, all down'

The late Thomas Dooley and his wife Siobhan.

The jury in the Tralee cemetery murder trial will commence their deliberations on Wednesday — on what will be day 30 of the trial.

The 10 men and two women will go to their jury room and start considering the evidence they have been hearing at the Central Criminal Court sitting in Cork since June 4.

The last substitute juror was discharged just before 4.30pm on Tuesday by means of the registrar drawing 12 of the 13 names. 

Ms Justice Mary Ellen Ring then thanked the man who had given his time to date on the case and said he would be exempted from jury service for 15 years because of the time given as a substitute juror in this case.

Ms Justice Ring completed the fourth day of her address to the jury in which she told them of the law they must use in reaching their verdicts and extensively reviewed the evidence, principally from testimonies given from the witness box but also in the form of exhibits such as photographs, CCTV and physical evidence including clothing.

Six murder trials

Ms Justice Ring told the jurors that in effect they were dealing with six separate murder trials. “It is not a game of dominoes — one down, all down. You must look at the case against each accused,” the judge said.

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

Prosecution senior counsel Dean Kelly agreed and said: “These are six separate trials held together for convenience. What you are asked to decide is whether a person participated and intended at least to cause Thomas Dooley serious harm.” 

Judge Ring said: “Remember, all six, while admitting they were in the graveyard, they all deny being involved in the acts that led to the death of Thomas Dooley.” 

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 Snr, 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, Co Kerry, are on trial, as is the sixth defendant who is a teenager.

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