Courts / Dublin / Report

Croatian man's status as foreigner 'relevant' to alleged murder, barrister tells trial

Summary

During the murder trial at the Central Criminal Court, Seoirse Ó Dúnlaing SC argued that the fact the victim, 31‑year‑old Josip Strok, was a foreign national was relevant to the case. He cited statements from accused Mark Lee (44), who told Gardaí two days after the assault that he had been walking "up and down with two dogs" outside an International Protection Accommodation Service centre, and that he had sent a voice note to a friend saying he had "just smashed Polish lads up and left them for dead." The prosecution contended these remarks showed the accused were aware of Strok's status as a foreigner. The trial also heard that Strok and his friend David Druzinec (29) were assaulted on 30 March 2024, with Strok dying four days later from blunt‑force injuries. Mark Lee, Anthony Delappe (19) and Connor Rafferty (21) have pleaded not guilty to murder but guilty to manslaughter and assault causing harm.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Croatian man's status as foreigner 'relevant' to alleged murder, barrister tells trial. Charges or matters: murder; assault causing harm. Procedural stage: trial

When:

• April 3, 2024 Incident
• March 30, 2024 Incident
• 2025-10-15 Publication

Why: Just smashed Polish lads up and left them for dead because they beat [a] kid. CNI source report

Case subjects

Places mentioned

Topics

Stage Trial Violent Crime

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Read the original CNI report