Gardaí treating death of Offaly man as murder

Gardaí are treating the death of a man in Co Offaly at the weekend as murder. The family of 64-year-old Thomas “Toddy” Dooley gathered close to the scene at Sister Senan Court in Edenderry yesterday morning.

Mr Dooley’s body was discovered at his home in Sister Senan Court at 2.45pm on Sunday. The estate, a small cul-de-sac comprising about a dozen bungalows, is home to a number of mostly elderly residents.

Mr Dooley, who was last seen on Thursday afternoon, was discovered on the sofa in his living room. He had suffered head and upper body wounds and a rear window in the house was open. A concerned neighbour who called to the house on Sunday noticed Mr Dooley on the couch. He alerted gardaí who immediately sealed off the area and began an investigation.

Injuries
Speaking at the scene yesterday, Supt Dave Taylor said, "On arrival at the scene, gardaí discovered a 64-year-old man with upper-body trauma injuries within the house.

“The area was immediately sealed off for a full technical examination and the Offices of the State Pathologist were notified,” he added.

Supt Taylor said a postmortem would take place at the Midland Regional Hospital, Tullamore, once Dr Marie Cassidy had carried out a preliminary examination at the scene. It is expected the case will be confirmed as a murder investigation.

Mr Dooley’s sister Rose Murphy was still trying to come to terms with events at the estate yesterday.

“We are shocked and he didn’t deserve to die like that,” she said. “He’ll be missed, he will be really missed.”

She said the death has caused concern for local residents. “Years ago you could leave your back and front door open and go out but you can’t do that now. They would have felt safe but I don’t think they’ll feel safe now. No way. I mean there is some of them living on their own and they are going to be terrified,” she added.

‘Good neighbour’

Mr Dooley’s niece Denise Murphy described her uncle as a good neighbour. “He was always very good to all the neighbours. He helped out every neighbour. I

f they needed turf brought in Thomas was always there for them,” she recalled.

Mr Dooley’s family said the separated father of three had been a Christian Brother. In recent years his eyesight was failing and he had been in receipt of disability allowance.

Gardaí have established an incident room at Tullamore Garda station and they are keen to speak to anyone who might have seen Mr Dooley between between 11am on Thursday, February 13th, and 2.45pm on Sunday, February 17th.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Tullamore Garda Station on 057-9327600 or to call the Garda Confidential Line on 1800-666111.