Two teenagers appear in court charged with murder of Josip Strok in west Dublin attack

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 suffer life threatening injuries, Mr Strok was left with serious head wounds and died in hospital four days later.

This week local gardai, 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 males were brought before Blanchardstown district court this morning.

Clondalkin teenagers Anthony Delappe (18), of Melrose Avenue, and Conor Rafferty (19), of Castlegrange Close, 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 last night, adding that the accused made no reply when cautioned.

Garda Fallon informed 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 Maire Conneely.

The accused 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, wearing a black and grey tracksuit, did not address the court during the briefing hearing.

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

Wearing a navy tracksuit, he did not speak during the hearing and was also remanded in custody to appear in court again next week.

The assault happened on Grange View Way at around 10.15pm after the men had gotten off a bus nearby.

Josip 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.