A GRIEVING FATHER whose young son was found with sharp force injuries and passed away in London last month told mourners at his requiem mass in Waterford today that he was truly “blessed” to have had “four years and three months” with his precious child. 

Keziah Macharia, 41, was charged with murdering her son Kobi Macharia Dooly when she appeared at the Old Bailey in London on 28 December 2023. 

On the evening of 20 December, police in London were alerted to concern for the welfare of Kobi by his Irish father Ben Dooly, a member of a well known Tramore business family. 

The Old Bailey previously heard that within minutes of the emergency call, officers forced their way in to the Hackney home of Macharia. They found Kobi lying in his cot. He had sustained stab injuries. 

The child was rushed to the Royal London Hospital where he died shortly after midnight on 21 December. His father Ben made the decision to bring his son back to Tramore for burial. 

Speaking at the the Holy Cross Church in Tramore, Co Waterford, today Ben Dooly said that he and young Kobi adored each other. 

“My little boy is beautiful. I’m actually blessed to have had Kobi in my life for four years and three months. I’ll always cherish that. 

“Kobi is the strongest little boy I have ever known and we are all going to be strong with this. He is looking down on us right now. 

“In times like this people will think that they’ll actually question faith and what not. In fact for me it’s made me stronger. It’s obviously the hardest day but it’s made it (my faith) stronger for me. I know my little boy is looking down on me. He is giving me signs and I thank him for that. 

“I loved him so much, I adored him and he adored me. We’ll pull through today. We will push through the rest.” 

Dooly said that he always told Kobi that he would bring him back to his native Tramore. 

“Tramore is a beautiful place. The people of Tramore have absolutely wrapped a blanket of love around my little boy, and I really appreciate that.” 

Meanwhile, the grieving father walked directly behind the cortège to the church this morning followed by his extended family and hundreds of mourners. The name Kobi was written in red and blue crayons on the side of the white coffin in the hearse. 

In the church a framed picture of a smiling Kobi was placed at the altar. Flowers featuring Kobi’s favourite Marvel character, Spiderman, took pride of place at the top of the church. An emotional rendition of “Over the Rainbow” was one of the most poignant moments of the mass. 

‘Forever loved’

Meanwhile, chief celebrant Fr Richard O’Halloran said that they were gathered in the church for one of the most difficult occasions the parish has ever had to face. 

“Gathering as we do to celebrate the short but beautiful life of Kobi. 

“Kobi comes among us today on his first visit to this his paternal home of Tramore and to this Church of the Holy Cross. It is not a homecoming wanted or expected but a homecoming none the less. 

“We treasure and honour his presence among us. With tears of bewilderment we collect ourselves to remember Kobi, to be thankful for him, to pray for him. With countless love we say he will be forever in the hearts and the minds of his family who loved him the most. But we know deep down that the time is never right nor the heart ready to say goodbye.” 

Fr O’Halloran said Kobi would forever be loved by his father Ben, his grandparents Wilf and Anne and his close knit extended family including his aunts and uncles Liz, Zeta, Cathy, Shane, Debbie, Ger and John. 

“To you his family and all Kobi’s little friends in London we say how sorry we are on your indescribable loss.

“Kobi was a beautiful, smiling, dancing ray of light in your lives and he will be missed beyond words. Joining with you we seek together to make sense of the senseless, trying to comprehend the unthinkable. 

“As a community we appreciate the various ways the Dooly family have been good to so many people and many causes in Tramore and now it is our turn to be good to them. 

“We will support the family best by never forgetting the name Kobi and remembering the handsome, smiling face behind the name but also by being kind to each other as Kobi always was. 

“It is Kobi himself that is holding the family together and allowing them to be strong and dignified. 

“It has been a long month since his death but that month has been marked by small moments, little occurrences where Kobi’s spirit , Kobi’s presence has touched the family, his dad Ben especially and they have felt his nearness. 

“Kobi Macharia Dooly was an energetic, fun-filled and beautiful child. He was friendly, kind and clever. 

“At school he is remembered for knowing every small person and for knowing all the big people too. 

“Wherever he went Kobi connected with people of all ages so easily. People were drawn like magnets to him.”

Fr O’Halloran said that in his walks in the park or trips to the playground, was never shy about saying ‘hello’ to passersby. 

“Such was the special innocent way he said ‘hello’ everyone would stop and say ‘hello’ back. For such a small boy he made a dramatic difference, a beautiful difference in the lives of others. 

“Though only four, Kobi’s unique and individual personality was obviously already shining through – a personality of smiling brightly and laughing uncontrollably, of being able to say he liked both basketball and soccer and not one or the other, a little life that was acknowledging that his favourite super hero was Spiderman. 

“It has been written that ‘each new life, no matter how brief, forever changes the world’. Kobi changed your life and the world for the better and I know you are thankful for the years that you had. He graced and changed your life. 

“May Kobi and all children who have died sleep gently in God’s heavenly peace.” 

Members of the extended Dooly family, who own fish and chip shops and an amusement arcade in the sea side town, are well known and respected in the local community in Tramore. 

In the aftermath of the tragedy Irish relatives of the young boy travelled to London to offer support to Ben who has lived in the UK for many years. The Department of Foreign Affairs was of consular assistance to the bereaved family.