Two men convicted of murdering Croatian Josip Strok in Clondalkin, Dublin
On 30 March 2024, Mark Lee (44), Anthony Delappe (19) and Connor Rafferty (21) assaulted Croatian national Josip Strok (31) and his friend David Druzinec (29) in the street in Clondalkin, Dublin, after Lee was told of an alleged assault on a teenage boy at a nearby bus stop. Strok died four days later from blunt force injuries, including a skull fracture and catastrophic brain injury to the back of his head. At the Central Criminal Court before Ms Justice Mary Ellen Ring, a jury returned a majority verdict of 11–1 finding Lee and Delappe guilty of murder, while Rafferty was found not guilty of the murder charge; all three were found guilty of assault causing harm to Druzinec. Lee and Delappe were remanded in custody and Rafferty remanded on bail, both to appear on 17 November 2025 for sentencing.
- Reportednot reported
- Arrestednot reported
- Chargednot reported
- In courtnot reported
- Convicted30 Oct
- Sentenced
Key facts
consolidated from all reports- What happened
- Lee, Delappe and Rafferty assaulted Strok and Druzinec in the street in Clondalkin after Lee was told of an alleged assault on a teenage boy at a bus stop near his home, and Druzinec suffered facial bruising requiring stitches but made a full recovery.
- A jury found Lee and Delappe guilty of murder by a majority verdict of 11–1 and Rafferty not guilty of the murder charge, while all three were found guilty of assault causing harm to Druzinec.
- Where
- The attack took place in Clondalkin, Dublin.
- When
- The attack took place on 30 March 2024.
- Cause
- Strok died four days later from blunt force injuries, including a severe wound to the back of his head causing a skull fracture and catastrophic brain injury, which the State Pathologist said was probably caused by the fall backwards onto the ground.
- Weapon
- Lee used his feet and fists to kick, stamp and punch Strok, and Rafferty struck Strok three times with one half of a crutch after Strok had stopped moving.
- Investigation
- CCTV footage showed Lee repeatedly kicking Strok in the head.
- In court
- The trial was heard at the Central Criminal Court before Ms Justice Mary Ellen Ring, and Lee and Delappe were remanded in custody to 17 November 2025 for sentencing while Rafferty was remanded on bail to appear on the same date.
18 statements extracted from the articles
- whatMark Lee and Anthony Delappe were found guilty of murder by a majority verdict of 11–1. (irishtimes.com)
- whatConnor Rafferty was found not guilty of the murder charge. (irishtimes.com)
- whatLee was told of an alleged assault on a teenage boy at a bus stop near his home in Clondalkin and alerted the other two accused. (irishtimes.com)
- whatDelappe and Lee followed Strok and Druzinec and assaulted them in the street. (irishtimes.com)
- whatDruzinec suffered bruising to his face and required stitches but made a full recovery. (irishtimes.com)
- whatCCTV footage showed Lee repeatedly kicking Strok in the head. (irishtimes.com)
- whereDelappe is of Melrose Avenue, Clondalkin. (irishtimes.com)
- whereRafferty is of Castlegrange Close, Clondalkin. (irishtimes.com)
- whereLee is of no fixed abode. (irishtimes.com)
- whenThe attack took place on 30 March 2024. (irishtimes.com)
- causeStrok died four days later from blunt force injuries sustained in the attack. (irishtimes.com)
- causeStrok suffered a severe wound to the back of his head causing skull fracture and catastrophic brain injury. (irishtimes.com)
- causeState Pathologist Dr Heidi Okkers said the injury was probably caused by the fall backwards onto the ground. (irishtimes.com)
- weaponLee used his feet and fists to kick, stamp and punch Strok. (irishtimes.com)
- weaponRafferty struck Strok three times with one half of a crutch after Strok had stopped moving. (irishtimes.com)
- courtLee and Delappe were remanded in custody to 17 November for sentencing. (irishtimes.com)
- courtRafferty was remanded on bail to appear on the same date. (irishtimes.com)
- courtThe trial was heard at the Central Criminal Court before Ms Justice Mary Ellen Ring. (irishtimes.com)
The reporting
newest first- 30 Oct2025Two men found guilty of murdering Croatian Josip Strok on Dublin street
Reports the jury verdicts: Lee and Delappe convicted of murder, Rafferty acquitted of murder; all three guilty of assault causing harm to Druzinec. Sentencing adjourned to 17 November 2025.
victim, Josip Strok, 31, male, Croatian, non-irishJosip Strokvictim, David Druzinec, 29, male, non-irish (judged from name)David Druzinecconvicted, Mark Lee, 44, male, namedMark Leeconvicted, Anthony Delappe, 19, male, named, non-irish (judged from name)Anthony Delappeaccused, Connor Rafferty, 21, male, named, irish (judged from name)Connor Rafferty