In an unfortunate turn of events, Josephine “Josie” Ray, an 89-year-old pensioner and widow famed for her love of music and socialising, was discovered dead in her home this past Sunday. The late Mrs. Ray, born Josie O’Meara, hails from Carney, a locality situated approximately 15km north of Nenagh in North Tipperary, where her burial will occur this approaching Friday.
Outliving her spouse, Paddy, and her daughter, Joan, Josephine has Sarah, Frances, Mary, and Carmel, as her surviving daughters, in addition to a host of grandchildren and great-grandchildren. The post-mortem revealed she was strangled in her residence at St Joseph’s Park in Nenagh on Sunday.
Her body will be presented in Ryan’s Funeral Home in Nenagh between 5pm and 7pm this Thursday for public mourning, followed by her funeral procession from Ryan’s Funeral Home to St Mary of the Rosary Church in Nenagh on Friday. Following the 11am funeral mass at the church, she will be laid to rest in Killodiernan Cemetery.
Numerous fond remembrances have poured in honouring Josie, renowned for her vivacious spirit and love for music and socialising. A notable tribute was from a musician named Kilkenny Mel who praised her for the youthful energy and love for music and dance she exhibited.
The shocking case of Mrs. Ray’s murder remains under investigation by the Garda, who assure that they are vigorously following a promising lead, which has rocked both her neighbours at St Joseph’s Park and the wider community of Nenagh.
In the investigation into the murder of Ms Ray, it appears the local police are focusing their attention on individuals that the elderly victim knew personally. This is due to the fact that there was no evidence of breaking in at her terraced residence situated in St Joseph’s Park.
The officers suspect the killer may have been a familiar face to Ms Ray, possibly gaining access to her home between Saturday, August 3rd, 8pm, when she was last observed alive, and midday of Sunday, August 4th when her lifeless body was found by a relative.
While the authorities have not publicised any findings from the autopsy conducted by the Deputy State Pathologist, Dr Yvonne McCartney, on the body of Ms Ray, it is believed that she was choked to death by the murderer.
Upon the discovery of Ms Ray’s deceased body on Sunday around midday, the location was quickly cordoned off by the police. The Garda National Technical Bureau then took over, travelling from Dublin to start a comprehensive examination of the crime scene which continues to be underway at the residence.
Police have also initiated neighbourhood inquiries in a bid to unearth if anyone noted peculiar visitors to the house during the weekend and monitor any relevant times. Efforts have also been made to find CCTV footage from cameras positioned at the entrance of the housing estate to identify individuals who frequented the area during the weekend.
An incident room has been established at the Nenagh Garda station as a part of the investigation. Police are urging potential witnesses, especially those who were around St Joseph’s Park from 8pm on Saturday, August 3rd, 2024, to midday Sunday, August 4th, 2024, to provide their accounts.
They have also requested residents with video footage, including car drivers with dash cams, captured during the stated time frame in the vicinity, to submit these recordings for review. The officers handling the investigation can be reached at the Nenagh Garda station, contact 067 50450.