Gardaí told accused to leave Tipperary home months before grandmother's death
Hasan Ali Gori told gardaí he would only leave the house “as a dead body” months before the murder of Josephine Ray in Nenagh
The man accused of murdering Josephine ‘Josie’ Ray at her home in Nenagh more than two years ago was asked to leave the property by two gardai who called to the house a number of months earlier.
Hasan Ali Gori, aged 52, who is originally from Chad has pleaded not guilty to the murder of the 89-year-old in her home at 91 St Joseph’s Park in Nenagh, County Tipperary on August 4, 2024.
Mr Ali Gori was in a relationship with the victim's daughter, Mary Ray, since 2014 and was living in the home at 91 St Joseph’s Park at the the time of the murder.
On Monday , the jury heard from social welfare Inspector Tony Kenny who explained how Mary Ray had applied to have Mr Ali Gori added as a dependent adult on her disability allowance.
Mr Kenny said he carried out a visit to 91 St Joseph’s Park in order to authorise the claim. The social welfare inspector told the jury how upon his visit, in March 2024, he met with Mary Ray, Josephine Ray and the accused, Mr Ali Gori.
Mr Kenny stated that Mary Ray would be entitled to an additional payment of €150, by having Mr Ali Gori as a dependent adult on her claim.
The court also heard from Garda Jack Walker and Garda John Kearney who attended a welfare check at 79 St Joseph’s Park in March 2024. Garda Kearney described how upon entering number 79 that there was a number of members of the Ray family present.
It was explained to the jury that a phone call was made whilst the gardaí were in the house and the phone was put on loudspeaker. Garda Walker noted how he could hear “an argument of sorts” in the background “between Mary Ray and a gentleman in the house”. It was later confirmed that the male voice was that of Mr Ali Gori.
The two gardaí then proceeded to call to 91 St Joseph’s Park where the argument was taking place, and asked Mr Ali Gori to leave the house.
Garda Walker told the court how Mr Ali Gori said: “The only way I leave this house is as a dead body”. Both Gardaí described Mr Ali Gori’s behaviour as “aggressive”.
A clip from an audio recording was also played to the jury, where an argument between Mary Ray and her sister Frances was heard.
In the audio clip, Mary Ray’s sister can be herd telling her how her partner, Mr Ali Gori, was allowed female friends and how he was allowed to be on his phone and social media.
She can also be heard telling Mary Ray she must “leave him alone”.
The trial continues before Mr Justice Seán Gillane.