Courts / Dublin / Report
Jury begins deliberations in trial of three accused of murdering Croatian
Summary
In a Central Criminal Court case, a jury has begun deliberations over the murder of Croatian national Josip Strok, who died four days after an assault in Dublin. The accused are Mark Lee (44), Anthony Delappe (19) and Connor Rafferty (21). Lee and Delappe have pleaded not guilty to murder but guilty to manslaughter, while Rafferty has not entered a plea. All three pleaded guilty to assault causing harm to Strok's friend, David Druzinec. The prosecution alleges the trio followed Strok and Druzinec and attacked them, with Lee using kicks and punches, Delappe striking with a plastic pickaxe handle, and Rafferty striking with a crutch. The judge instructed the jury to consider each accused individually, noting that verdicts may differ and must be unanimous. The jury will continue tomorrow.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Jury begins deliberations in trial of three accused of murdering Croatian. 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 Strok's friend, David Druzinec (29), at the same location; murder but guilty to manslaughter, while Mr Rafferty has not entered any plea. Procedural stage: trial
When:
- April 3, 2024 Incident
- March 30, 2024 Incident
- 2025-10-29 Publication
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 Strok's friend, David Druzinec (29), at the same location; murder but guilty to manslaughter, while Mr Rafferty has not entered any plea (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 Strok's friend, David Druzinec (29), at the same location; murder but guilty to manslaughter, while Mr Rafferty has not entered any plea (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 Strok's friend, David Druzinec (29), at the same location; murder but guilty to manslaughter, while Mr Rafferty has not entered any plea (Alleged Or Contested)
Plea: Not guilty
Places mentioned
- Central Criminal Court
- Melrose Avenue
- Grangeview Way
Topics
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