TEENS CHARGED WITH MURDER OF CROATIAN MAN

Josip Strok died four days after he and a friend were violently assaulted

Two Clondalkin teenagers yesterday appeared in court charged with the murder of a Croatian national in west Dublin.

Josip Strok (31) was left with serious head wounds after he and a friend were subjected to a violent assault at Grange View Way in Clondalkin on March 30. He died in hospital four days later. Anthony Delappe (18), of Melrose Avenue, and Conor Rafferty (19), of Castlegrange Close, have been charged with Mr Strok’s murder.

Two teenagers have appeared in court charged with the murder of a Croatian national in west Dublin.

Josip Strok (31) and his friend were set upon by a group at Grange View Way in Clondalkin on March 30 before being subjected to a violent assault.

While the other man, David Druzinec (28), did not receive life-threatening injuries, Mr Strok was left with serious head wounds and died in hospital four days later.

This week, local gardaí, supported by members of the National Bureau of Criminal Investigation (NBCI), carried out searches and arrested three suspects.

One man was later released from custody while two men were brought before Blanchardstown District Court yesterday morning.

Anthony Delappe (18), of Melrose Avenue, Clondalkin, and Conor Rafferty (19), of Castlegrange Close, Clondalkin, appeared in court charged with the murder of Mr Strok.

They are both also accused of assault causing harm to Mr Druzinec on March 30 at the same location.

Garda Patrick Fallon gave evidence of arresting Mr Rafferty for the purpose of charging him on Thursday night, adding that the accused made no reply when cautioned.

Gda Fallon told the court that he was applying for the date on the murder charge to be amended from March 30 to April 3, as per instructions from the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP).

The application was acceded to by Judge Máire Conneely.

Mr Rafferty was remanded in custody as bail on a murder charge can only be brought before the High Court.

A legal aid application was also granted, and the accused’s solicitor informed the court that they intend to bring a bail application in relation to the assault charge next week.

Mr Rafferty did not address the court during the brief hearing.

Garda Barry O’Shea gave evidence of arresting Anthony Delappe and charging him on Thursday night, adding that he made no reply to caution.

He did not speak during the hearing and was also remanded in custody to appear in court again next week.

The assault happened at around 10.15pm after the men had got off a bus.

Mr Strok was from the Krapina region in northern Croatia but had been living and working in Ireland in recent years. His uncle Ivica last week spoke of how his nephew had saved four lives after his organs were donated.