Jury adjourns without verdict in pensioner murder trial

Updated / Wednesday, 4 Nov 2026 15:46

A jury in the trial of a man accused of murdering a woman in Co Tipperary two years ago has retired to consider its verdict.

Hasan Ali Gori is on trial at the Central Criminal Court, charged with the murder of Josephine 'Josie' Ray in Nenagh, in 2024.

The 89-year-old sustained fatal injuries following an incident at her home in St Joseph's Park, on 4 August that year.

When the case resumed just before 2pm at Limerick Courthouse, Mr Justice Sean Gillane gave jurors a summary of the evidence that had been heard over the course of the trial.

He detailed the testimonies given by various family members, friends and acquaintances of the deceased, as well as those from investigating gardaí, first responders and others involved in the murder inquiry.

The accused, 52, has pleaded not guilty to the charges against him. He was living in the house at St Joseph's Park, as a result of his relationship with Mary Ray, a daughter of the victim.

Jurors were told during closing arguments in the trial that Mr Gori got lucky when he struck up a relationship with Mary Ray, whom the court heard has an intellectual disability.

She was described as indispensable to the accused as she provided a roof, a bed and €154 a week through her disability allowance. At the time of the murder, Tipperary County Council "was closing in" because the accused was not a registered tenant of the property, and his "financial and accommodation lifeline was on the hook".

Several witnesses gave evidence of regular rows and disputes between the occupants of the property, in the weeks prior to the murder.

The State contends that Josie Ray's final act was to defend herself from attack, causing injures to her arms and which resulted in DNA from Mr Gori being found under her fingernails.

A post-mortem examination showed Ms Ray had died as a result of a violent attack. Hers was not a natural death and there were no other contributory factors.

Mr Justice Gillane told the jury of nine men and three women to remember the terms of the oath of affirmation they had taken, to give a true verdict in accordance with the evidence they had heard.

They were told to put aside any views they had in relation to how people live their lives, or the choices they make. Mr Justice Gillane told the jury that it was clear the house where the murder occurred "wasn't Downton Abbey, but was real people living real lives, with all their bags and baggage."

He told jurors the case was about humanity, human affairs and people, saying the Court required judgement, not 'judgementalism'.

He asked jurors to conduct a forensic examination of the evidence they had heard, and to apply common sense to it. Their verdict should he arrived at on the basis of where the evidence brings them, he added.

Jurors will indicate later this afternoon whether they have reached a verdict. Should they require more time for deliberations, they will resume on Friday morning.