Forensic Science Ireland has referenced two Kerry criminal cases as case studies in its latest annual report.
FSI is an executive agency of the Department of Justice, delivering a scientific service to support the Irish criminal justice system by analysing samples gathered at crime scenes.
FSI’s latest annual report cites its work in analysing 540kg of crystal meth, and its DNA work in the Thomas Dooley murder trial, as case studies.
FSI said the Thomas Dooley murder trial is one of the most complex cases it’s encountered in recent times.
It involved five individuals bleeding, and forensic examination of samples from the deceased and injured, a machete, clothing, and items from four vehicles.
FSI says a large number of its staff worked on this case, and significant forensic findings were obtained.
DNA profile matching the deceased, Thomas Dooley, was found on the clothing/footwear of three of the accused, and DNA of one accused was found on the fingernails of Siobhan Dooley, who was seriously assaulted.
Five men and one teenager were convicted of the murder of Thomas Dooley, and one man was convicted of assault causing harm to Siobhan Dooley.
The trial judge, Justice Mary Ellen Ring, praised the quality and resourcing of this investigation including the contribution of FSI.
In a separate case the FSI says its lab received a request from Customs Officers at the Port of Cork to analyse a crystalline substance from a large seizure on 16th February 2024.
A sample of the substance was delivered to the lab on the same day and an urgent analysis confirmed it was methylamphetamine, also known as methamphetamine, commonly known as crystal meth.
The FSI says on 2nd April 2024, drug forensic scientists went to a secure location where they met with gardaí and Customs to allow examination of the packages seized.
The laboratory reported a total of 547 plastic packages which held an estimated 540 kilograms of crystalline substance, while a number of packages submitted to the lab for analysis were found to contain methylamphetamine.
FSI says this is the largest seizure of methylamphetamine received by FSI to date.
45-year-old Tralee man Nathan McDonnell, formerly of Ballyroe, is serving a 12-year prison sentence after admitting to his role in facilitating the movement of that shipment of drugs between Mexico and Australia at his former garden centre.
His co-accused in the case, 43-year-old James Leen, is yet to stand trial on charges alleging he was also involved in the importation of the drug; he denies any involvement.
