Fifth man arrested over murder in Co Kerry graveyard released without charge

Tom Dooley was fatally assaulted while attending funeral at New Rath Cemetery in Tralee on October 5th

Gardaí have released without charge a fifth man arrested for questioning about the murder of a father of seven while attending a funeral in Co Kerry earlier this month.

Detectives investigating the murder of Tom Dooley (43) from Hazelwood Drive in Killarney arrested a man (28) at an address in Cork city at around 6pm on Monday.

The man was taken to Tralee Garda station where he was detained under Section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act, which allows gardai hold suspects for up to 24 hours, but he was released just hours later.

The man is the fifth person to be arrested by gardai investigating the killing of Mr Dooley, who was fatally assaulted while attending a funeral at New Rath Cemetery, Rathass, Tralee on October 5th.

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Mr Dooley’s brother, Patrick Dooley (35) with an address at Arbutus Grove, Killarney was charged on October 7th with the murder of Thomas Dooley

A day later, Mr Dooley’s cousin and brother-in-law, also Thomas Dooley (41) of Bay 10, The Halting Site, Carrigrohane Road, Co Cork, was also charged with the murder of the deceased, Thomas Dooley.

Both men were initially remanded in custody by Judge David Waters to appear at Tralee District Court last Wednesday and they have since been further remanded to appear again on October 26th.

Gardaí have also arrested two other men for questioning about the killing — a man (40) was arrested in Tralee on October 11th and another man (32) was arrested in Cork on October 12th.

Both men, who were also known to the deceased, were later released without charge, and a file will be prepared for the Director of Public Prosecutions in respect of both man, said a Garda spokesman.

Tom Dooley was remembered as a loving husband and father at his funeral mass in Tullamore last Thursday when hundreds gathered to pay their last respects.

Mass celebrant, Fr Joe Gallagher said that the thoughts and prayers of everyone were with Mr Dooley’s widow, Siobhán and his three sons and four daughters at this time of sudden and sad loss.

Barry Roche

Barry Roche

Barry Roche is Southern Correspondent of The Irish Times