Chief suspect in murder of Josephine Ray (89) is rearrested over new information
The chief suspect for the murder of 89-year-old Josephine (Joan) Ray in Co Tipperary last year has been rearrested by gardai who have received key new information in the case.
This is being put to the suspect by Co Tipperary by detectives today after the suspect's arrest in Co Limerick this morning.
He was previously arrested last August as well as a woman aged in her 50's who was known to him and the frail victim in the disturbing case.
The arrested man has previously given media interviews in which he strongly denied any involvement in the great-grandmother's death.
They were arrested last year on the same day as the popular victim's funeral.
Josephine Ray
News in 90 Seconds - Thursday, July 3
After being released without charge by gardai, the couple left Nenagh and relocated to the nearby city of Limerick.
They claimed in media interviews that it was no longer sage for them to stay in the Co Tipperary town.
Sources say that gardai are now hopeful of getting a charge in the case.
Josephine Ray
Gardaí have been following a definite line of inquiry in the case and had tracked the movements of the chief suspect before his initial arrest.
It is understood that blood was found at the scene and the elderly local lady had sustained a facial injury.
She was discovered with severe bruising to her face and blood was found close to her body.
It is understood that a pillow seized as part of the probe and was the subject to full forensic examination.
Gardai were called to a 'disturbance' at the house where Ms Ray was murdered less than 24 hours before her body was discovered in her bed.
Gardaí had also been called to the great-grandmother's home on several occasions in the months before her death to deal with "a number of different alleged complaints".
Tributes later appeared online to the victim who was described as 'a vulnerable lady' including by her grandson, Daniel Ray O'Brien who discovered her body after neighbours raised the alarm.
"My poor poor poor granny, I loved you so much. God please let there be justice. The system failed her too many times please don't let it happen during her death too,' he posted on Facebook.
A man and woman in their 50s who had been quizzed by gardai at the time were later released without charge with a file to be prepared for the Director of Public Prosecutions.
A Garda spokesperson said this morning: 'Gardaí in Nenagh continue to investigate all the circumstances surrounding the death of a woman, whose body was discovered at a residence at St Joseph's Park, Nenagh, County Tipperary, on the afternoon of Sunday, August 4, 2024.
'A male in his 50s was arrested today, Thursday 3rd July 2025 in relation to this investigation.
'He is currently being detained under the provisions of Section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act, 1984.'
Gardai added that investigations are 'ongoing'
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