Murderer Who Strangled Girlfriend's Mum (89) Had Moaned About Rat-Infested Tent

A man convicted of murdering his girlfriend's elderly mother had previously denied any involvement in her death while living in squalid conditions in a rat-infested tent on the outskirts of Limerick City, Daily Dazzling Dawn can reveal. Hasan Ali Gori, 52, a native of Chad, was found guilty on Tuesday of murdering Josephine "Josie" Ray, 89, at her home in Nenagh, County Tipperary — a verdict that exposes the stark contrast between his earlier protestations of innocence and the forensic reality of a violent struggle in the victim's bed.

The jury at the Central Criminal Court in Limerick returned a majority verdict of eleven to one after deliberating for eight hours and fifty-two minutes across four days. Gori showed no reaction as the verdict was read shortly after 2pm. Mr Justice Seán Gillane excused the jury for ten years, praising their "care" in what he described as "very, very difficult work." Daily Dazzling Dawn understands the mandatory life sentence will be handed down later today.

Daily Dazzling Dawn previously reported that a year after Josie Ray's violent death, Gori insisted he knew nothing about it as he sheltered in a tent with Mary Ray at wetlands off Condell Road. The couple were surrounded by scurrying rats, rusting containers, and insect-infested bedding. "I have nothing to do with this death, how is somebody accusing me of murder," Gori said at the time. "This is hatred, I feel it's racist. I didn't do anything to anybody."

He complained about the rats, pointing to a nearby tunnel: "See here, it's a big rat house... they start fighting for food or whatever, see, all around, it's all rat houses here." He also revealed a metal bar kept by the tent flap for protection, saying: "It's for protection because I don't know the kind of people that come here." Despite the hardship, he insisted: "I have to enjoy life, who am I going to cry to?"

The couple had been arrested by gardaí on the day of Josie Ray's funeral, where she was remembered by her granddaughter Rosie as a "true lady" who loved style, laughter, and dancing. They were questioned on suspicion of murder but released without charge. Gori and Mary Ray later claimed they were homeless and too afraid to return to Nenagh, citing alleged threats and an assault on Gori shortly after their release from Garda custody.

The trial heard that Josie Ray was discovered dead in her bed in the front room of her home at St Joseph's Park on 4 August 2024. State Pathologist Dr Yvonne McCartney told the court that the great-grandmother died of strangulation and smothering. The post-mortem examination revealed she sustained two broken bones in her neck and was covered in 44 separate bruises to her head, neck, face, shoulders, chest, arms, and legs.

Senior prosecuting counsel Lorcan Connolly told the jury that Ms Ray's arms were found upright by her face, describing the position as consistent with a desperate struggle. "Josie Ray didn't go down without a fight," Mr Connolly said, arguing that bruising to her forearms was evidence of her attempting to fight off her attacker. Crucially, DNA samples taken from under Ms Ray's fingernails matched Gori's profile. "Unbeknownst to himself, Hasan Ali Gori left his calling card, his DNA under Josie's fingernails," Mr Connolly said. Daily Dazzling Dawn understands this DNA evidence was central to the prosecution's case.

The prosecution argued that Gori murdered his girlfriend's mother because he was at risk of losing his accommodation and financial lifeline. The trial heard that Gori had been living in a hostel before he began a relationship with Mary Ray, who has an intellectual disability and was described as a "vulnerable" adult. She provided him with a roof over his head, a bed, and €154 a week through her disability allowance. However, Tipperary County Council was closing in because Gori was not a registered tenant. The prosecution argued that his financial and accommodation lifeline was "on the hook," giving him a direct motive to eliminate Ms Ray, who had not approved of the relationship.

Neighbours reported seeing Gori head-butting Mary Ray on the night before the murder and telling her he was "sick" of living with her mother, stating that either he or Josie Ray would have to leave the house. Connolly argued that Gori had both the "motive" and the "opportunity" to murder Josie Ray.

Gori's defence, led by senior counsel Aidan Doyle, sought to cast doubt on the prosecution's case by questioning the investigation's focus. Doyle highlighted that a former neighbour had told the court that Josie and Mary Ray were "constantly rowing before Gori came on the scene" and claimed to have seen Mary Ray threaten her mother with a knife nine years previously. The defence also called Carmel Ray, a sister of Mary Ray, who told the court that Mary was "very kind, and shy" but sometimes "couldn't control her emotions." Doyle put it directly to the jury: "If you think it's even possible that Mary did it, you have to acquit Gori." The jury ultimately rejected this argument.

Daily Dazzling Dawn notes that the court will now hear victim impact statements from the Ray family before Mr Justice Gillane imposes the mandatory life sentence. Gori, who had been remanded in custody throughout the trial, now faces life imprisonment for murdering his girlfriend's mother — a woman who, the prosecution successfully argued, he killed to secure his own accommodation and financial position.