Hassan Ali Gori re-arrested over murder of pensioner Josephine Ray in Nenagh
Josephine Ray, an 89-year-old Irish woman, was found dead in her home in St Joseph's Park, Nenagh, Co Tipperary, on 4 August 2024, having been strangled and suffered facial injuries. Her daughter Mary Ray, an Irish woman in her 50s, and her partner Hassan Ali Gori, an Irish man in his 50s originally from Chad, were arrested on 9 August 2024 and released without charge the following day. On 3 July 2025, Hassan Ali Gori was re-arrested on suspicion of the murder on the foot of new evidence and detained under Section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act, 1984. Hassan denies the killing, saying he was asleep upstairs all night, and he and Mary Ray are now living in a tent outside Limerick.
- Reportednot reported
- Arrested3 Jul
3 reports - Charged
- In court
- Verdict
- Sentenced
Key facts
consolidated from all reports- What happened
- Josephine Ray, 89, was found dead in her home in St Joseph's Park, Nenagh, Co Tipperary, on 4 August 2024.
- Cause
- She had been strangled and had suffered facial injuries.
- Where
- Ms Ray was a native of Carney, 15km north of Nenagh.
- When
- She was last seen alive the day before she was found dead.
- Investigation
- Mary Ray and Hassan Ali Gori were arrested on 9 August 2024, released without charge the following day, and a file was sent to the DPP.
- On 3 July 2025, Hassan Ali Gori was re-arrested on suspicion of the murder on the foot of new evidence and detained under Section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act, 1984.
- Gardaí spoke to Hassan about handprints found at the scene, and he states he was asleep upstairs all night.
- A senior investigating officer was appointed, the Garda National Technical Bureau examined the scene, and a family liaison officer was assigned to support the family.
- Other details
- Hassan Ali Gori is originally from Chad and became an Irish citizen in 2017; he lived with Josephine Ray and her daughter Mary, who is his long-term girlfriend.
- Hassan and Mary Ray are now residing in a tent just outside Limerick.
- Mary Ray discovered her mother dead in her bed the morning after the murder, while one report states the body was discovered by her grandson.
25 statements extracted from the articles
- whatA man in his 50s was arrested on 3 July 2025 in relation to the murder investigation (irishmirror.ie)
- whatMary Ray and Hassan Ali Gori were released without charge the day after their arrest (irishmirror.ie)
- whatA man in his 50s was arrested in connection with the death of a woman in Co Tipperary. (irishtimes.com)
- whereMs Ray was a native of Carney, 15km north of Nenagh. (irishtimes.com)
- whenShe was last seen alive the day before she was found dead. (irishtimes.com)
- causeJosephine Ray had been strangled and had suffered facial injuries (irishmirror.ie)
- investigationThe arrested man is being detained under Section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act, 1984 (irishmirror.ie)
- investigationThe arrested man is being detained under Section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act. (irishtimes.com)
- investigationGardaí said their investigations are ongoing. (irishtimes.com)
- investigationMembers of the Garda National Technical Bureau travelled from Dublin to examine the scene. (irishtimes.com)
- investigationA senior investigating officer was appointed to lead the investigation. (irishtimes.com)
- investigationA Garda family liaison officer was assigned to support the family. (irishtimes.com)
- investigationGardaí re-arrested Hassan Ali Gori on suspicion of the murder on the foot of new evidence. (irishmirror.ie)
- investigationHassan was released without charge and a file was sent to the DPP. (irishmirror.ie)
- investigationBoth Hassan and Mary were arrested in connection with the murder in August 2024. (irishmirror.ie)
- otherAt the time of her death, Ms Ray was predeceased by her husband Paddy and daughter Joan. (irishtimes.com)
- otherShe was survived by her daughters Sarah, Frances, Mary and Carmel, as well as extended family. (irishtimes.com)
- otherHassan Ali Gori is originally from Chad and became an Irish citizen in 2017. (irishmirror.ie)
- otherHassan lived with Josephine Ray and her daughter Mary, who is his long-term girlfriend. (irishmirror.ie)
- otherGardaí spoke to Hassan about handprints found at the scene. (irishmirror.ie)
- otherHassan states he was asleep upstairs all night when the killing occurred. (irishmirror.ie)
- otherMary Ray discovered her mother dead in her bed the morning after the murder. (irishmirror.ie)
- otherHassan and Mary Ray are now residing in a tent just outside Limerick. (irishmirror.ie)
- otherHassan claims he was repeatedly attacked by a number of individuals both before and after the murder. (irishmirror.ie)
- otherHassan claims gardaí were called to the home in the hours before Josephine's death. (irishmirror.ie)
The reporting
newest first- 8 Jul2025'They've got the wrong man,' says suspect rearrested over pensioner's murder
Re-arrest of Hassan Ali Gori on the foot of new evidence, his denial of the murder, his account of the night of the killing, and the current living situation of him and Mary Ray in a tent outside Limerick.
victim, Josephine Ray, 89, female, Irish, irishJosephine Raysuspect, Hassan Ali Gori, male, Irish, named at arrest, irishHassan Ali Gorisuspect, Mary Ray, female, Irish, named at arrest, irishMary Ray - 3 Jul2025Man arrested in connection with death of Nenagh woman (89) in 2024
Confirms the arrest of a man in his 50s, provides details on the investigation (Garda National Technical Bureau, senior investigating officer, family liaison officer), and includes tributes from local councillor Seamie Morris and neighbour Michael O'Brien. Notes Ms Ray was a native of Carney, 15km north of Nenagh, and was survived by daughters Sarah, Frances, Mary and Carmel.
victim, 89, female, irish (judged from name)suspect, 50s, male - 3 Jul2025Man, 50s, arrested in Garda investigation into murder of 89-year-old woman
Reports the arrest of a man in his 50s on 3 July 2025 in the ongoing murder investigation; confirms he is detained under Section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act, 1984.
victim, Josephine Ray, 89, female, irish (judged from name)Josephine Raysuspect, 50s, malesuspect, Mary Ray, 50s, female, named at arrest, irish (judged from name)Mary Raysuspect, Hassan Ali Gori, 50s, male, named at arrest, non-irish (judged from name)Hassan Ali Gori