Life sentence handed to man convicted of murdering 89‑year‑old Josie Ray

The family of 89‑year‑old Josephine “Josie” Ray said they will be “forever heartbroken” after a man was sentenced to life imprisonment for her murder.

Ray, a resident of St Joseph’s Park, Nenagh, County Tipperary, was found strangled and smothered in her bed on 4 August 2024. Hasan Ali Gori, a 52‑year‑old native of Chad, was convicted by a jury at the Central Criminal Court in Limerick after a three‑week trial, with an 11‑1 verdict following almost nine hours of deliberation.

The prosecution argued that Gori, who was living with Ray while in a relationship with her daughter Mary Ray – a vulnerable adult with a learning disability – killed Ray after she demanded he leave the home. Evidence included Gori’s DNA on Ray’s hand and fingernails and testimony that he had threatened to force her out.

Gori showed no emotion as Mr Justice Sean Gillane imposed the mandatory life sentence. In a victim impact statement, Ray’s granddaughter Roise O’Brien described her grandmother as “the heart of our family” and said the family would “never get the image of Josie’s final moments out of our heads”.

Detective Garda Margaret Slevin said the investigation involved over 186 witness statements, with both Gori and Mary Ray initially treated as suspects before Gori was charged.

Source: Limerick Post. Photo: A G / Pexels.