Life sentences for three men over Offaly pensioner’s murder
Three men have been jailed for life for the murder of a pensioner in Co Offaly over two and a half years ago.
Thomas Dooley, 64, was attacked and beaten to death with a baseball bat in his home in Edenderry in the early hours of 12 February 2014.
Sean Davy, Matthew Cummins and James Davy all pleaded not guilty and after a 19-day trial at the Central Criminal Court a jury convicted each of them of murder in August.
Mr Dooley was hit eight times on the head and body with a baseball bat. He had severe head injuries and broken ribs.
The men then tried to burn Mr Dooley’s body while as he was in chair. His body was not found until four days later by concerned neighbours.
In a victim impact statement, the Dooley family said they were horrified and shocked at the cruel and heartless way his life was taken.
The family said they were horrified by the cruelty of his death and hoped no family would have to go through what they have endured.
Ms Justice Margaret Heneghan described it as a brutal motiveless attack on a defenceless elderly man.
She sentenced all three men to the mandatory term of life in prison.
