Gardai are hunting a close associate of this tragic dad – after he was stabbed to death at a funeral.
The Irish Mirror has confirmed that gardai have a prime suspect for the brutal murder of Tommy Dooley – in an attack that also saw his wife Siobhan seriously injured as they said goodbye to a family friend in Tralee, Co Kerry.
Mr and Mrs Dooley – from Killarney – were in Tralee’s Rathass Cemetery for the interring of friend Bridget O’Brien’s coffin following requiem mass when they were both attacked and stabbed at around 11.45am.
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The cemetery is just yards from University Hospital Kerry – and Mr Dooley, who was in his 40s, was rushed there after the attack, but medics could not save him. His wife was in the same hospital last night after she received serious injuries in the attack – which is believed to have been witnessed by a large number of mourners.
A man known to Mr and Mrs Dooley fled the scene shortly after the attack and gardai were hunting for him last night. It’s understood that man and others had been in dispute with Mr Dooley over personal issues for a number of years.
“This was not a random attack,” a source said last night. “The Dooleys were deliberately targeted. There has been hassle for a few years.”
Gardai and other emergency services rushed to the scene of the attack at around 11,45am and provided first aid to the victim before they were taken to hospital.The area was still sealed off last night as gardai searched for clues – and also tried to recover the weapons used in the attack.
Gardai in Tralee also appealed for any witnesses to come forward. A spokesman said: “Gardaí are appealing for witnesses following the fatal assault of a man this morning in Tralee, Co. Kerry, Wednesday, 5th October 2022.
Gardaí and Emergency Services attended the grounds of Rathass Cemetery in Tralee following reports of an altercation involving a group of people.
“A man in his 40s was discovered with serious injuries. He was pronounced dead at the scene by ambulance personnel and his body taken to University Hospital Kerry.
“A woman aged in her 40s was also taken to University Hospital to be treated for non-life threatening injuries. The scene is currently preserved by Kerry Divisional Scenes of Crime Unit for a full technical examination.
“An incident room has been established at Tralee Garda Station and a Senior Investigating Officer has been appointed. Investigating Gardaí are appealing for witnesses to this incident to come forward and for any person with camera footage to make it available to them.
“Anyone with information is asked to contact Tralee Garda Station on 066 710 2300, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111 or any Garda Station.”
Mr and Mrs Dooley had earlier attended the funeral mass in St. John’s Church in Tralee for family friend Bridget O’Brien who died suddenly on Sunday. They then joined mourners at Rathass Cemetery – where they were attacked.
Mr Dooley was a well-known member of the travelling community and relatives and friends spoke of their horror last night online.
One said: “Rip to my cousin Tom Dooley, a gentleman. Please god look over your family at this hard time.”
And another said: ”RIP Tom Dooley. Mad Tom. Killarney won’t be the same without you. Sadly missed by all your friends and family. Fly high Mad Tom. Get the best bed up there and look down on your family at this time.”
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