Wednesday 28 October 2026Compiled from published reports. Every claim links to its source.

Ireland Crime

Every case followed from the first report to the sentence, or to where the reporting stopped.

Case No. 5232Murder · Co. Tipperary · 4 Aug 2024

Trial of Hasan Ali Gori over death of pensioner Josephine Ray in Nenagh continues

On 4 August 2024, Josephine 'Josie' Ray, 89, was found dead in her bed at her home in St Joseph's Park, Nenagh, Co Tipperary, and was pronounced dead at the scene. A pathologist concluded that she died of asphyxia from external compression of the neck, meaning strangulation. Gardaí started a murder investigation, and Hasan Ali Gori, a 52-year-old man who had been living at her home, was later charged with her murder and has pleaded not guilty. His trial at the Central Criminal Court in Limerick was continuing as of reports published on 28 October 2026, with post-mortem and DNA evidence heard. No arrest date or sentence has been reported.

  1. Reported6 Aug
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In court28 Oct
  5. Verdict
  6. Sentenced
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
Josephine 'Josie' Ray, 89, was found dead in her bed at her home; one source names her as Josephine 'Joan' Ray.
Where
Her home is at St Joseph's Park, Nenagh, Co Tipperary.
When
She was found dead on 4 August 2024, shortly after midday, and was pronounced dead at the scene.
Cause
A pathologist concluded that she died of asphyxia following external compression of the neck, meaning strangulation.
Other details
  • The post-mortem found 44 separate bruises, which the Limerick Post described as almost 50, and the hyoid bone was fractured on either side.
  • Vomit was found on her left hand, around her neck and on the sleeves of her clothes, and bruising to her face and hands suggested defence-type injuries.
  • Male DNA on swabs from her right hand and fingernails was 28,500 times more likely to be the accused's than another person's, though a forensic scientist said this may not be significant because he had been living with her.
  • Gardaí were called to calm tensions at the home after a row the night before she was found dead.
  • Ms Ray is survived by daughters Sarah, Fran, Mary and Carmel, and was predeceased by her husband Patrick and her daughter Joan, who died in 2021.
Investigation
  • Gardaí started a murder investigation, and the post-mortem by Deputy State Pathologist Dr Yvonne McCartney confirmed the death was suspicious.
  • An incident room was set up at Nenagh Garda station, with a senior officer leading the investigation and a family liaison officer supporting the family.
  • The Garda Technical Bureau examined the scene, door-to-door inquiries were carried out, and no signs of forced entry were reported.
  • An Garda Síochána has not released the post-mortem results for operational reasons.
Charges
Hasan Ali Gori, 52, is accused of murdering Josephine Ray and has pleaded not guilty.
In court
His trial is being held at the Central Criminal Court in Limerick, and witnesses told the court that Ms Ray, her daughter Mary Ray and the accused had a volatile relationship.
32 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatShe was pronounced dead at the scene. (irishtimes.com)
  • whatJosephine Ray, 89, was found dead in her bed at her home. (limerickpost.ie)
  • whereJosephine Ray was found at her home at St Joseph's Park, Nenagh, Co Tipperary. (limerickpost.ie)
  • whenJosephine Ray was found dead on August 4, 2024. (limerickpost.ie)
  • causeThe pathologist concluded that Josephine Ray died of asphyxia or smothering following external compression of her neck, meaning strangulation. (limerickpost.ie)
  • investigationGardaí started a murder investigation into the suspicious death of an 89-year-old woman in north Co Tipperary. (irishtimes.com)
  • investigationThe postmortem was carried out by Deputy State Pathologist Dr Yvonne McCartney. (irishtimes.com)
  • investigationThe postmortem confirmed that her death was suspicious. (irishtimes.com)
  • investigationAn Garda Síochána has not released the postmortem results for operational reasons. (irishtimes.com)
  • investigationAn incident room was set up at Nenagh Garda station. (irishtimes.com)
  • investigationA senior officer was appointed to lead the investigation and a family liaison officer to support the family. (irishtimes.com)
  • investigationA technical examination was carried out at the scene by members of the Garda Technical Bureau. (irishtimes.com)
  • investigationGardaí carried out door-to-door inquiries to see if anyone noticed unusual or suspicious activity over the bank holiday weekend. (irishtimes.com)
  • investigationInvestigating gardaí ordered an autopsy because they suspected foul play. (limerickpost.ie)
  • chargeHasan Ali Gori is accused of Josephine Ray's murder and has pleaded not guilty. (limerickpost.ie)
  • courtHasan Ali Gori has pleaded not guilty to the charge. (limerickpost.ie)
  • courtThe trial is being held at the Central Criminal Court in Limerick. (limerickpost.ie)
  • otherMs Ray is survived by her daughters Sarah, Fran, Mary and Carmel. (irishtimes.com)
  • otherShe was predeceased by her husband Patrick and her daughter Joan, who died in 2021. (irishtimes.com)
  • otherCllr Seamus Morris, an Independent member of Tipperary County Council, said news of her violent death had caused shock and dismay in the community. (irishtimes.com)
  • otherHasan Ali Gori had been living at Josephine Ray's home and was in a relationship with her daughter Mary Ray. (limerickpost.ie)
  • otherWitnesses told the court that Josephine Ray, Mary Ray and the accused had a volatile relationship. (limerickpost.ie)
  • otherGardaí were called to calm tensions at the home after a row the night before Josephine Ray was found dead. (limerickpost.ie)
  • otherJosephine Ray was found in bed with bruising to her face, her hands raised by her head, and blood on her hairline. (limerickpost.ie)
  • otherThe post-mortem found 44 separate bruises on Josephine Ray's body. (limerickpost.ie)
  • otherThe pathologist found petechial haemorrhages consistent with asphyxia. (limerickpost.ie)
  • otherVomit was found on Josephine Ray's left hand, around her neck and on the sleeves of her clothes. (limerickpost.ie)
  • otherThe pathologist found bleeding into the muscle around the neck and voice-box. (limerickpost.ie)
  • otherThe hyoid bone was fractured on either side. (limerickpost.ie)
  • otherThe pathologist said the bruising to the hands and arms suggested defence-type injuries. (limerickpost.ie)
  • otherMale DNA found on swabs from Josephine Ray's right hand and fingernails was 28,500 times more likely to be the accused's DNA than another person's. (limerickpost.ie)
  • otherThe forensic scientist said the DNA result may not be significant because the accused had been living with Josephine Ray. (limerickpost.ie)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 28 Oct2026
    In courtlimerickpost.ie, first report
    Dead pensioner had broken bones in her neck and almost 50 bruises on her body

    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.

    victim, Josephine “Josie” Ray, 89, female, irish (judged from name)Josephine “Josie” Rayaccused, Hasan Ali Gori, 52, male, namedHasan Ali Gori
  2. 6 Aug2024
    Reportedirishtimes.com, follow-up
    Murder inquiry under way into suspicious death of woman (89) in Nenagh, Co Tipperary

    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.

    victim, Josephine 'Joan' Ray, 89, female, irish (judged from name)Josephine 'Joan' Ray