Courts / Dublin / Report

Fully suspended sentence for assault while others beat man to death on Dublin street

Date
2025-11-24

Stage
Sentence

Primary locality
Dublin

County
Dublin

Summary

Conor Rafferty (21), of Castlegrange Close, Clondalkin, received a fully suspended four-year sentence at the sentence stage for assault causing harm to David Druzinec (29). Ms Justice Mary Ellen Ring imposed the sentence after Rafferty pleaded guilty to the offence, having previously been acquitted of the murder of Josip Strok (31) by a jury. The judge suspended the sentence in full, imposing conditions that Rafferty must be of good behaviour, follow probation service directions, and attend recommended courses for 12 months. She warned that any breach would trigger the four-year custodial term. The court noted Rafferty was the least culpable of the three accused, acting on misinformation from Mark Lee (44), of no fixed abode, who was convicted of Mr Strok's murder following a trial and is serving a life sentence. Anthony Delappe (19), of Melrose Avenue, Clondalkin, was also convicted of the murder and is serving a life sentence. The judge highlighted Rafferty's early guilty plea, remorse, and rehabilitation efforts, including his apprenticeship as an electrician, as mitigating factors. Aggravating factors included the use of a half-crutch and the involvement of multiple assailants. The judge emphasized that Rafferty's actions were driven by a misguided notion of intervening for younger children, rather than shared anti-immigrant views with Lee.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Fully suspended sentence for assault while others beat man to death on Dublin street. Charges or matters: assault causing harm to Mr Strok's friend, David Druzinec (29) and Ms Justice Ring sentenced him for that offence today. Procedural stage: sentence

When:

April 3, 2024 Incident
2025-11-24 Publication

Case subjects

Anthony Delappe

Convicted Person

Outcome: Anthony Delappe (19) of Melrose Avenue, Clondalkin were both convicted of Mr Strok's murder following a trial and are serving life sentences.

Conor Rafferty

Defendant

Charges: assault causing harm to Mr Strok's friend, David Druzinec (29) and Ms Justice Ring sentenced him for that offence today (Admitted)

Plea: Guilty

Outcome: Having considered Rafferty's admissions to gardai, his early guilty plea, remorse and efforts at rehabilitation already undertaken, Ms Justice Ring imposed a four-year sentence which she suspended in full. As part of the conditions for the suspended sentence, Rafferty must be of good behaviour, follow the directions of the probation services and attend all recommended courses for 12 months.

Mark Lee

Convicted Person

Outcome: Mark Lee (44), of no fixed abode, and Anthony Delappe (19) of Melrose Avenue, Clondalkin were both convicted of Mr Strok's murder following a trial and are serving life sentences.