Homeless man charged with murder of Tipperary woman Josie Ray

Nenagh District Court heard that the accused told the garda who charged him with the killing of Josephine 'Josie' Ray: 'I know nothing, sir.'

Josephine 'Josie 'Ray was murdered at her home in Nenagh, in August 2024. Picture: RIP.ie

A homeless man in his 50s was charged on Friday with murdering an 89-year-old Tipperary woman in her home.

Nenagh District Court heard that Hasan Ali Gori, who was living in a tent at wetlands in Limerick City, told the garda who charged him with the killing of Josephine “Josie“ Ray: “I know nothing, sir.” 

Mr Gori, wearing spectacles, a blue shirt, red jacket and grey tracksuit pants, stood silently in the busy court flanked by a number of prison officers and gardaí.

He was charged before Judge Fiona Brennan with the murder of Ms Ray, at her home, at St Joseph’s Park, Nenagh, on Sunday August 4, 2024. Detective Garda Padraig O’Leary, Nenagh Garda Station, gave evidence of arrest charge and caution.

He told the court he arrested Mr Gori at 10.04am this Friday morning for the purpose of charging him with Ms Ray’s murder.

Garda Sergeant Regina McCarthy told the court the Director of Public Prosecutions had directed that Mr Gori face a trial on indictment before the Central Criminal Court.

Bail

Sergeant McCarthy made an application before the court to have Mr Gori remanded in custody to appear before the court again via videolink on October 23.

The sergeant said bail on a murder charge was not applicable in the district court. If Mr Gori is to seek bail on the charge he will have to apply for it before the High Court in Dublin.

Mr Gori’s solicitor, Colin Morrisey, successfully applied for free legal aid on behalf of the accused. Mr Gori is being held on remand at Portlaoise Prison. A request for a medical report was in train, it was heard.

Judge Brennan remanded Mr Gori to appear before Nenagh District Court again on October 23 for service of the State’s Book of Evidence.

Members of the victim’s family were present in court for Mr Gori’s appearance. They included a number of Ms Ray’s children.

The mother of five was found dead in her bed at her home. Gardaí did not release details of the post mortem examination on Ms Ray’s remains for operational reasons.