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Edenderry Man Walks Free From Court, On Time Served, For Trying To Set Fire To Murder Victim's Body

File image: Rolling News

Matthew Cummins was originally found guilty of the murder of Thomas Dooley, but that was quashed on appeal.

A 27 year old man has walked free from court for time served after admitting he tried to set fire to a murder victim's body.

Matthew Cummins, of Churchview Heights in Edenderry, Co Offaly, was originally found guilty of the murder of Thomas Dooley but that was quashed on appeal.

Stephanie Rohan reports from the Central Criminal Court.



"The murder of Thomas or Toddy Dooley with a baseball bat was described as a brutal, motiveless attack on a defenceless elderly man.

The 64 year old suffered eight blows to his head and attempts were made to set him on fire after he died.

Three men were originally convicted of his murder but two of them had the convictions quashed on Appeal.

One of them - Matthew Cummins - appeared in court today to be sentenced for impeding the apprehension or prosecution of a person.

The court heard he accepts he attempted to burn the victim’s body saying he’s ashamed about it and he had panicked.

He was resentenced to nine years in prison with two suspended - but because hes been in custody since 2014, he's now a free man for time served.

The Judge (Michael White) said to him ‘’ you’ve a terrible record and now have the opportunity to live a life away from crime - so take it when you get it'."

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