Courts / Dublin / Report
Witness tells trial he can't remember his friend being beaten to death
Summary
In a murder trial, 29‑year‑old David Druzinec, a Croatian immigrant, testified that he suffered memory loss after an assault that left his childhood friend Josip Strok, 31, dead. Druzinec said he felt a "strange feeling" of being followed after he and Strok disembarked from a bus near his Clondalkin home. He recalled telling Strok to "hurry up" when he saw more than three men behind them, but could not identify the attackers or their ages. Druzinec was attacked, received stitches above both eyes and on the top of his head, and could say nothing about the incident. The trial involves Mark Lee (44), Anthony Delappe (19) and Connor Rafferty (21), who have pleaded not guilty to murder but guilty to manslaughter and assault causing harm to Druzinec. The case is before Ms Justice Mary Ellen Ring and a jury of twelve.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Witness tells trial he can't remember his friend being beaten to death. Charges or matters: murder but guilty to the manslaughter of Josip Strok at Grangeview Way in Clondalkin on April 3, 2024; Mr Strok's murder; assault causing harm to Mr Druzinec, at the same location. Procedural stage: trial
When:
- April 3, 2024 Incident
- March 30, 2024 Incident
- March 2024 Other
- 2025-10-15 Publication
Why: The doormen explained that the man had been removed and restrained because he struck someone in the bar. CNI source report
Case subjects
Accused
Charges: murder but guilty to the manslaughter of Josip Strok at Grangeview Way in Clondalkin on April 3, 2024; Mr Strok's murder; assault causing harm to Mr Druzinec, at the same location (Alleged Or Contested)
Plea: Not guilty
Accused
Charges: Mr Strok's murder; assault causing harm to Mr Druzinec, at the same location (Alleged Or Contested)
Plea: Not guilty
Accused
Charges: murder but guilty to the manslaughter of Josip Strok at Grangeview Way in Clondalkin on April 3, 2024; Mr Strok's murder; assault causing harm to Mr Druzinec, at the same location (Alleged Or Contested)
Plea: Not guilty
Places mentioned
- Dublin
- Grange View estate
- Melrose Avenue
- Grangeview Way
- Dublin
- Dublin City
- Grange View
- Grange View
- nearby garda station
Topics
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