DEATH OF MRS. DOOLEY, ATHY

Leinster Leader 24 August 1957

Death of Mrs. Dooley, Athy

Mrs. Julia Dooley, who died at her residence in St. Michael’s Terrace, Athy, on Saturday, at the age of 89 years, was the mother of Co. Kildare’s Fianna Fail T.D., Mr. Patrick G. Dooley. Former a Miss Bradley of Offaly St., Athy, she belonged to a highly respected and popular local family.

She was closely identified with the fight for Irish Independence.  Her husband, the late Mr. Michael Dooley, in whose memory Athy U.D.C. in 1934 named a scheme of new houses, was a prominent member of Sinn Fein from 1916 onwards.  At that time they lived in Duke St., Athy, where they owned and conducted a flourishing business of grocery and provisions.  There Liam Mellows, Garoid O’Sullivan, Eamon Price and other I.R.A. leaders hunted by the British Forces were given shelter.  The Black and Tans had knowledge of this, and their regular raiding of the premises injured the business greatly.

The older children of the family, now Mrs. Ester May (St. Vincent’s Hospital, Athy), Mrs. Kathleen Malone (Dublin) and Mrs. Gypsy O’Neill (Droichead Nua), assisted by the deceased, carried I.R.A. dispatches and engaged in other Cumann na mBan activities.  Kathleen married Eamon Malone, leader of the Mountjoy Prison hungar-strike of I.R.A. prisoners.

The deceased was also mother of Mr. Michael Dooley and Miss Norah Dooley, Athy; and sister-in-law of the late Mr. Patrick Dooley, who was for many years Chairman of Athy U.D.C.

All who knew the late Mrs. Dooley held her in high esteem and affection.  She was charitable to a degree of extravagance and never hesitated to assist those she knew were in need.  Her friends and acquaintances knew no better neighbour than she, no more kind-hearted person, and all mourn her passing.

She was interred in St. Michael’s Cemetery, Athy, on Sunday.  Every class in the area was represented in the large cortege.  The clergy at the graveside included Very Rev. Vincent Steen, P.P.; Rev. J. Cunneen, C.C.; Rev. A. Curran, O.P.; Rev. W. Tynan, Sacred Heart College, Cork.

Vote of Sympathy

Athy U.D.C., Athy Fianna Fail Cumann, and Athy branch of I.N.T.O., at special meetings for the purpose, passed resolutions of sympathy with Mr. P. G. Dooley, T.D., and the other members of the family. A similar resolution was passed by Athy Urban Old-Age Pensions Committee.