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"You're a completely different person when you drink" - Row over lighter led to Dublin murder

Summary

In a Dublin murder case, Josip Strok and his friend David Druzinec were attacked after a 17‑year‑old boy at a bus stop was denied a lighter. The boy later warned other teenagers, who then boarded a bus and were followed by Mark Lee (44) and Anthony Delappe (19). Lee and Delappe, who had been in Lee's house smoking cannabis, pursued Strok and Druzinec, striking them with a pickaxe handle and a half‑crutch. Strok suffered a fatal brain injury after falling and was pronounced dead four days later. Lee and Delappe pleaded not guilty to murder but were found guilty by an 11‑to‑1 majority. Connor Rafferty (21) was acquitted of murder after claiming he only delivered light smacks. The case was heard in the Central Criminal Court on 30 March 2024. The verdicts were delivered on 30 October 2025.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: "You're a completely different person when you drink" - Row over lighter led to Dublin murder. Charges or matters: murder but guilty to the manslaughter of 31-year-old Josip Strok at Grangeview Way in Clondalkin. Procedural stage: trial

When:

• March 30, 2024 Incident
• November 17 Adjournment
• 2025-10-30 Publication

Why: Mr Ó Dúnlaing also suggested that Lee revealed his possible motive for the murder two days later when gardai arrived at his home with a search warrant. CNI source report

Case subjects

Places mentioned

Topics

Drugs Stage Trial Violent Crime

Read the original CNI report