Ireland Crime

Trial coverage from Limerick Post: prosecution audio evidence with the alleged “murder her” comment, pathologist evidence that Josie Ray died of strangulation and smothering, a forensic DNA finding, and the accused's denials. The trial continues on Monday, so there is no verdict yet.

Reports on the trial, which is under way. Clips from audio recorded on the night of 3 August 2024 were played to the jury. The accused denies saying "murder her" and does not recall the recording. The judge said deliberations could begin the following week and the trial resumes on 2 November.

Trial evidence on the second day: Gori denies choking Josie Ray and denies telling Mary Ray to “murder her”; a pathologist gave cause of death; DNA was found on swabs from the victim’s hand and fingernails, which a forensic scientist said “may not be significant”.

Reports testimony from social worker Sharlene Hegarty, State Pathologist Dr Yvonne McCartney, and forensic scientist Dr Stephen Clifford at the ongoing Central Criminal Court trial in Limerick.

Reports evidence heard at the trial including social worker testimony about concerns for Josephine Ray's wellbeing, her grandson's complaint about a fall, and a three-hour audio recording found on the accused's phone from the evening before her death.

Reports on trial evidence: social worker Sharlene Hegarty testified about Josie Ray's anxiety around Gori and Mary Ray's intellectual disability; State Pathologist Dr Yvonne McCartney confirmed 44 bruises and neck fractures; forensic scientist Dr Stephen Clifford gave DNA evidence on Ray's fingernails.

Adds trial evidence: a social worker's testimony about Ms Ray's fear of the accused, the prosecution's account, a garda witness on the accused's statement, and the accused's not-guilty plea.

Reports the second week of the trial: evidence that Tipperary County Council contacted Ms Ray in April 2024 and later sent a letter about an alleged illegal occupancy, garda evidence of a domestic disturbance the night before she was found dead, neighbour evidence of an alleged threat, and prosecution evidence including DNA on the victim's fingernails. The accused has pleaded not guilty.

Reports on the trial of Hasan Ali Gori, including the post-mortem evidence, the pathologist's findings on the cause of death, DNA evidence, and the accused's plea of not guilty. The trial continues.

Trial evidence about council tenancy concerns raised in April 2024, letters sent to Ray about unauthorised occupancy, and a domestic disturbance call at the house on the evening of 3 August 2024, the day before the murder.

Trial evidence heard on Friday including witness Charlotte Moran's account of Gori headbutting and shoving Mary Ray the night before the killing, Gori shouting 'No one will murder me' four times, and two grandchildren testifying they had contacted gardaí, social workers and their local authority about welfare concerns before Josie Ray's death.

Neighbour testimony about daily arguments, the accused's statement that either he or Josie had to leave, a red mark on the victim's face, a Snapchat recording of shouting, and DNA evidence under the victim's fingernails matching the accused.

Neighbour testimony about daily arguments, Ali Gori's statement to Mary Ray the night before the murder, a red mark on Josie Ray's face two weeks before her death, and a Snapchat recording of shouting played to the court.

Court heard testimony from grandchildren Rosie O'Brien and Daniel O'Brien, and daughters Sarah Ray and Carmel Ray, about safety concerns, arguments, and the household dynamics in the months before Josie Ray's death, including a phone call to gardaí on the night before she was found dead.

Trial evidence from Frances Ray about regular arguments in the household, the prosecution's case that Ali Gori suffocated and strangled Josie Ray after a row, details about the accused's relationship with Mary Ray, and the court's finding that Josie Ray was fully independent and in good health before her death.

Trial opened at Central Criminal Court, Limerick; prosecution outlined circumstantial case including DNA on victim's fingernails, asphyxiation by external compression, and motive; victim's grandson Samuel Abuchie gave evidence of finding the body at around noon; trial set to continue the following day.

Trial opened with prosecution opening statement detailing cause of death (asphyxiation by external compression of neck), inward fractures, DNA on victim's fingernails, the accused's motive and opportunity, the volatile household dynamic, and testimony from grandson Samuel Abuchie who found the body around noon on 4 August 2024.

Opening of murder trial; prosecution opening statement delivered; accused pleaded not guilty; trial expected to last four weeks.

Reports Gori's charge with murder, his first appearance at Nenagh District Court, the DPP's direction for trial before the Central Criminal Court, and his remand in custody at Portlaoise Prison.

Reports that Hasan Ali Gori has been charged with the murder of Josephine Ray and remanded in custody. Adds the charge, the remand and the court date.

Reports that Hasan Al Gori was charged with murder on 17 October 2025 at Nenagh District Court, remanded in custody, and that the case was adjourned for a book of evidence. Gives the arresting detective's account of the charge and the accused's response.

Details the Garda investigation into the alleged assault on Hasan Ali Gori at Portlaoise Prison, his serious injuries including a collapsed lung, the separate IPS investigation into his alleged attack on three officers, and confirms the murder file is with the DPP pending a charging decision.

Adds details of Gori's hospitalisation with a punctured lung after an alleged prison assault, his placement in solitary confinement at Portlaoise Prison, his six-month sentence for assaulting two gardaí in Nenagh on 30 March 2024, and Mary Ray's account of finding her mother dead.

Provides details on the alleged prison assault, including that Gori was transferred from Limerick Prison where he was accused of biting officers, that the Irish Prison Service launched an internal investigation and referred the matter to gardaí, and that Gori was jailed on 10 September 2025 for assaulting two gardaí with a 1.5 litre glass bottle in Nenagh on 30 March 2024.

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.

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.

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.

Mary Ray says she is too afraid to return to the house. Mary Ray and Hasan Ali Gori were arrested and released without charge, both deny involvement, and a file is being prepared for the DPP. The person or persons responsible remain at large.

Adds that Hasan Ali Gori says he was attacked at a roundabout after release, that Gardaí confirmed an investigation into the alleged assault on 11 August 2024, and that both suspects deny involvement in the death.

The couple, who were arrested and released without charge, speak to the Irish Mirror and deny any involvement. The article adds their account of finding the body, the garda seizure of items including a phone, and a fresh garda appeal for witnesses.

Exclusive interview in which the two arrested people deny involvement, describe finding Josephine dead and say gardaí seized items including a phone. It also reports that gardaí were called to the house the night before she was found.

Interview with grandson Daniel Ray O'Brien about family fears, a prior garda call the night before the murder, a GSOC referral and renewed appeals for witnesses and footage. No arrests or charges are mentioned in this article.

Adds that GSOC is investigating Garda interactions at Ray's home, that gardaí had been called to the property the day before she was found dead, and that a senior investigating officer has been appointed.

Gardaí referred their contact with residents of the property to GSOC for potential investigation. The article adds that the man and woman arrested were both released without charge and a file will be prepared for the DPP. It also reports the cause of death and an appeal for witnesses for 3 to 4 August.

Adds that three Garda interactions with Ms Ray were referred to Gsoc, that one was on 3 August at St Joseph's Park after reports of a disturbance, and that a file on the murder is being prepared for the DPP. Confirms the arrested pair were both in their 50s and were detained under Section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act. Appeals for dashcam or video footage from St Joseph's Park.

Adds that the man and woman in their 50s were detained on Friday and released without charge, the woman on Saturday evening; a file goes to the DPP; a pillow at the scene is being examined forensically; and gardaí are appealing for witnesses for the period 8pm Saturday 3 August to midday Sunday 4 August.

Reports that the man and woman in their 50s, both arrested and questioned, were released without charge, with the man released before lunchtime on Saturday and the woman that evening, and that a file is going to the DPP. The article does not name them.

Adds that a man and a woman, both in their 50s, were arrested on Friday afternoon and released without charge, with files to go to the DPP. Also adds that there was no sign of forced entry and that gardaí are appealing for witnesses and footage.

Gardaí reported that a man and a woman in their 50s were arrested in connection with the death, that the man was released without charge with a file going to the DPP, and that the woman remained in custody.

Reports that the man arrested over the death was released without charge on 10 August 2024 and that a woman in her 50s remains in Garda custody. Adds the Garda statement, the SIO appointment and the incident room.

Adds that a man and woman aged in their 50s were arrested on Friday 9 August 2024, that both are detained under Section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act, 1984 at Garda stations in the Southern Region, and that investigations are ongoing.

Reports that a man and a woman in their 50s were arrested on 9 August 2024 and detained under Section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act, 1984, at Garda stations in the Southern Region. The article does not name them, and it gives Josephine Ray's cause of death as strangulation with facial injuries.

Adds that the man and woman in their 50s were arrested just hours after the funeral, were understood to have known Ms Ray, and were held at separate Garda stations under Section 4. Gardaí found no sign of forced entry and believe she may have admitted her killers.

Provides details of the initial arrests on 9 August 2024, the location of the body (St Joseph's Park, Nenagh), the time of discovery (shortly after midday on Sunday 4 August), the appointment of an SIO and incident room at Nenagh Garda Station, and the funeral details (Requiem Mass at St. Mary of the Rosary Church, burial at Killodeirnan Graveyard).

Funeral report with family and priest tributes; adds that she was found in a bedroom, that death is understood to be by asphyxiation, and her burial place. No arrests or suspects are mentioned.

Reports two arrests of a man and a woman in their 50s, detained under Section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act 1984 at Garda stations in the Southern Region. It also reports the funeral and the cause of death as understood to be asphyxiation. No suspects are named.

Funeral report with tributes. Adds the victim's alternative name Joan and her funeral details. It names no suspects and reports no arrests or charges.

Reports the arrest of a man and a woman in their 50s in connection with the murder, and that they are detained under Section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act 1984. Adds the funeral and that gardaí are investigating all the circumstances of the death.

Adds the grandson's account of a disturbance on the Saturday night that gardaí attended, his claims that the victim had made complaints about violence for over a year, the victim's injuries, and the garda appeal for witnesses and footage. States that no arrests had been made as of 9 August 2024.

Before any arrests, the grandson says Josephine Ray was left terrified on the street the night before she was killed and that gardaí were called on the Saturday night over a violent incident. Gardaí have appealed for witnesses and footage, and say no arrests have been made.

Adds the investigation theory that the killer may have had an accomplice, the lack of forced entry, the detectives' view that the killer knew Ms Ray, the incident room at Nenagh Garda station and the forensic work. No arrests are reported.

Adds the victim's name and age, the scene details, the cause of death as understood by investigators, the lines of inquiry, the incident room and appeals for witnesses and footage, and the funeral arrangements. No arrests are mentioned in this article.

Adds family and community tributes to the victim, the grandson's criticism that the State failed her, and a garda appeal for witnesses in the St Joseph's Park area between Saturday evening and Sunday afternoon. Does not name any suspect or arrest.

Early report of the murder investigation: the victim is named locally as Josephine ‘Joan’ Ray, Gardaí believe no weapon was used, there was no visible sign of a break-in, no arrests had been made, a senior investigating officer and incident room were set up in Nenagh, and Gardaí appealed for witnesses and dash-cam footage for 3 to 4 August.

Initial murder inquiry announcement; postmortem by Dr Yvonne McCartney confirmed suspicious death; no signs of forced entry; Garda Technical Bureau examination and door-to-door inquiries carried out; witness appeal for St Joseph's Park area between 8pm Saturday and midday Sunday.

Adds the early police response to the Nenagh death: the discovery is treated as suspicious, a senior investigating officer and incident room are in place, a post-mortem was completed, and gardaí are appealing for witnesses and dashcam footage for the period 8pm Saturday 3 August to midday Sunday 4 August. The article's 'yesterday' timing conflicts with the garda statement's date of Sunday 4 August, and the victim's age is given as 89 in the report but 'in her 80s' in the garda statement.

Earliest report of the death: it describes the discovery, the suspicious-death investigation, the sealed scene, the post-mortem, the appointed senior investigating officer and the appeal for witnesses. It names no suspects and gives the woman's age as 89, which the Nenagh murder case later records.

Garda press release confirming the arrest of two people (a man and a woman in their 50s) on 9 August 2024 and their detention under Section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act, 1984, at Garda stations in the Southern Region.