Man denies murder and alleged “murder her” comment in pensioner’s death

A 52‑year‑old man, Hasan Ali Gori, has pleaded not guilty to the murder of 89‑year‑old Josephine “Josie” Ray, whose body was found on 4 August 2024 in her Nenagh home.

The Central Criminal Court in Limerick heard that Josie Ray was discovered with signs of strangulation, smothering and 44 bruises on her head and body. Gori, who was living with Ray and her daughter Mary at the time, denies choking her and rejects the claim that he told Mary to “murder her”.

Audio evidence and courtroom testimony

Prosecutors presented an audio file from Gori’s mobile phone recorded the night before the death. In the three‑and‑a‑half hour recording, Gori is heard discussing a housing dispute with Mary, who has an intellectual disability, and the prosecution says he says “murder her”. Gori contends he said “murder ba”, a word he claims exists in his native language, not English.

Neighbour testimony described frequent, volatile arguments between Gori, Mary and Josie Ray. One neighbour recalled hearing Gori say he did not want to live with Josie. A video of Gori under caution showed him repeatedly denying the “murder her” statement.

Gardai responded to a disturbance call the evening before Josie Ray’s body was found, advising the occupants to keep noise down. Gori told detectives he knew nothing of the allegations and pleaded not guilty.

A social worker who visited Josie Ray in the months before her death said the pensioner appeared nervous when Gori’s name was mentioned.

Source: Limerick Post. Photo: SHOX ART / Pexels.