Hasan Ali Gori on trial for murder of Josephine Josie Ray

Hasan Ali Gori Trial Hears Accused Threatened to Leave or Force Josie Ray Out Before Her Death

On the night before an 89-year-old Tipperary woman was found strangled and suffocated in her bed, a man accused of her murder told her daughter that either he or her mother had to leave the house due to constant arguing, the Central Criminal Court in Limerick has heard. RTE.ie reported that Hasan Ali Gori, 52, is on trial after pleading not guilty to the August 4, 2024, murder of Josephine “Josie” Ray at St Joseph’s Park, Nenagh, Co Tipperary. At the time of the killing, Mr Ali Gori was living in Ms Ray’s home because he was in a relationship with her daughter, Mary Ray, who has an intellectual disability.

Neighbour Mark McGee testified that he clearly overheard the accused and Mary Ray talking outside the home the evening before the victim died. Mr McGee told the court that Mr Ali Gori informed Mary Ray that he was sick of the ongoing disputes and that “either he had to go or Josie had to leave the house and go.” Mr McGee added that he walked away after Mary Ray noticed him and whispered something to the accused. Earlier that afternoon, Mr McGee witnessed an argument outside the front of the property where Mary Ray accused Mr Ali Gori of cheating, and Josie Ray tapped her walking stick on the ground while telling them, “I’m tired of ye,” prompting gardaí to respond.

Daily Arguments and Police Reports Precede Nenagh Home Tragedy

Another neighbour, Ian Donnellan, testified that arguments among the accused, Mary Ray, and Josie Ray occurred daily. “It was angry, volatile, everyday,” Mr Donnellan told the court. Mr Donnellan contacted gardaí weeks prior to the death on July 21, 2024, after witnessing a row at the house and observing a red mark on the right side of Josie Ray’s face, leaving her distressed and afraid. The day before the killing, Mr Donnellan recorded a Snapchat video capturing loud shouting from the property. In the audio played in court, a male voice identified by the witness as the accused shouted “fuck off, fuck off” while a child became distressed. Mr Donnellan noted that his wife asked the accused to stop shouting because he was scaring local children.

Following the discovery of the body, Gemma Donnellan, Ian Donnellan’s sister, joined neighbours outside the house and spoke with Mary Ray. She stated that Mary Ray appeared to have nothing to say, while Mr Ali Gori attempted to stop his partner from talking to anyone. Ms Donnellan told the court that the accused kept telling a crying Mary Ray to shut up and calm down, remarking that Josie was “old and was going to die anyway” as he attempted to pull Mary away from the group.

DNA Evidence Links Accused to Josie Ray

Two of Josie Ray’s grandchildren, Daniel O’Brien and Rosie O’Brien, testified that they had previously contacted gardaí, social workers, and their local council to raise concerns about safety in the local authority home. Senior counsel Lorcan Connolly, prosecuting, argued that forensic investigators found DNA underneath Josie Ray’s fingernails that matched the accused’s DNA. Mr Connolly told the court that Mr Ali Gori lived as Mary Ray’s cohabitant for social welfare purposes and depended on the Ray family for accommodation. The prosecution contends that because Josie Ray was protective of Mary and opposed the relationship, Mr Ali Gori held both the motive and the opportunity to murder her. The trial continues in Limerick.