LAST UPDATE | 17 Oct

A HOMELESS MAN in his 50s was today charged with murdering an 89-year-old woman in her Co Tipperary home last year.

Nenagh District Court heard that Hasan Ali Gori, who was living in a tent at wetlands in Limerick City, told the Garda who charged him with the killing of Josephine ‘Josie’ Ray: “I know nothing, sir.”

Gori, wearing spectacles, a blue shirt, red jacket and grey tracksuit pants, stood silently in the busy court flanked by a number of prison officers and Gardaí.

He was charged before Judge Fiona Brennan with the murder of Ms Ray, at her home, at St Joseph’s Park, Nenagh, on Sunday 4 August, 2024.

Detective Garda Padraig O’Leary, of Nenagh Garda Station, gave evidence of the arrest, charge and caution.

He told the court he arrested Gori at 10.04am this morning for the purpose of charging him with Ms Ray’s murder.

Garda Sergeant Regina McCarthy told the court the Director of Public Prosecutions had directed that Gori face a trial on indictment before the Central Criminal Court.

Sergeant McCarthy made an application before the court to have Gori remanded in custody to appear before the court again via video-link on 23 October.

The Sergeant said bail on a murder charge was not applicable in the district court.

If Gori is to seek bail on the charge he will have to apply for it before the High Court, Dublin.

Gori’s solicitor Colin Morrisey successfully applied for free legal aid on behalf of the accused.

Gori is being held on remand at Portlaoise Prison. A request for a medical report was in train, it was heard.

Judge Brennan remanded Gori to appear before Nenagh District Court again on 23 October for service of the State’s Book of Evidence.

Members of the victim’s family were present in court for Gori’s appearance.

They included a number of Ms Ray’s children.

The mother-of-five was found dead in her bed at her home.

Gardaí did not release details of the post mortem on Ms Ray’s remains for operational reasons.