Wednesday 28 October 2026Compiled from published reports. Every claim links to its source.

Ireland Crime

Every case followed from the first report to the sentence, or to where the reporting stopped.

Case No. 3045Murder, attempted murder · Co. Cavan · 11 Jan 2025

Danny Heyneman apologises to family for murdering mother in Cavan

Danny Heyneman, 33, wept at a pre-sentencing hearing in Cavan as his family detailed the trauma of his mother Annie Heyneman's murder and his father Henk Heyneman's near-fatal stabbing in their Ballyconnell home on 11 January 2025. Justice Tony Hunt indicated he would consider consecutive sentences, with sentencing set for 2 June 2026.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In court19 May
    2 reports
  5. Verdict
  6. Sentenced
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
35 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatDanny Heyneman pleaded guilty to murdering Annie Heyneman at the family home on 11 January 2025. (irishmirror.ie)
  • whatHe also admitted attempting to murder Henk Heyneman at the same address on the same date. (irishmirror.ie)
  • whatAnnie Heyneman was stabbed at least 14 times, mostly in the trunk and upper back. (irishmirror.ie)
  • whatAnnie Heyneman also had defensive type injuries to her arms. (irishmirror.ie)
  • whatHenk Heyneman suffered 26 sharp force wounds to his scalp, face, right ear, neck, chest, abdomen and both arms. (irishmirror.ie)
  • whatHenk Heyneman had a complex fracture to the orbital floor around his left eye requiring ongoing surgery. (irishmirror.ie)
  • whatDanny Heyneman stabbed his mother at least 14 times (irishtimes.com)
  • whatDanny Heyneman called emergency services from a takeaway about 6.6km away (irishtimes.com)
  • whatDanny Heyneman said he had drunk a bottle of vodka and a bottle of beer earlier that day (irishtimes.com)
  • whatHe said he had not intended to hurt anyone (irishtimes.com)
  • whereThe family home is at Kilnavart, Ballyconnell, Co Cavan. (irishmirror.ie)
  • whereThe murders took place at the family home in Ballyconnell, Co. Cavan (irishtimes.com)
  • whenThe incident occurred on 11 January 2025 (irishtimes.com)
  • causeThe most significant injury was to the left jugular and subclavian veins which led to blood loss, hypovolemic shock and death. (irishmirror.ie)
  • weaponThe stab wounds suggested the blade used had one sharp end and a blunt end, and could have been a bloodstained knife found at the scene. (irishmirror.ie)
  • weaponDanny Heyneman attacked his parents with a knife (irishtimes.com)
  • chargeDanny Heyneman pleaded guilty to murdering Annie Heyneman (irishtimes.com)
  • chargeHe admitted attempting to murder Henk Heyneman at the same address on the same date (irishtimes.com)
  • courtMr Justice Tony Hunt will pass sentence on 2 June 2026. (irishmirror.ie)
  • courtSentencing is scheduled for 2 June 2026 (irishtimes.com)
  • otherAnnie Heyneman was 55 when she was murdered. (irishmirror.ie)
  • otherDanny Heyneman has no previous convictions. (irishmirror.ie)
  • otherThe defendant has some features of depression and a history of alcohol and polysubstance abuse but does not suffer from a severe mental disorder. (irishmirror.ie, irishtimes.com)
  • otherAnnie and Henk Heyneman met in Holland in 1990, married and had two children before returning to Ireland to live in Ballyconnell. (irishmirror.ie)
  • otherAnnie worked as a rehabilitation carer for adults with disabilities in Carrick-on-Shannon. (irishmirror.ie)
  • otherHenk worked as a chef at the Slieve Russell Hotel. (irishmirror.ie)
  • otherDanny returned to living at the family home in March 2020 after finishing an accountancy course in Sligo. (irishmirror.ie)
  • otherOn 11 January 2025, Henk arrived at his neighbour's front door bleeding heavily from multiple stab wounds, with his right ear hanging off and a lump missing from his left arm. (irishmirror.ie)
  • otherThe Heyneman house was on fire when gardaí arrived. (irishmirror.ie, irishtimes.com)
  • otherDanny had called emergency services from a takeaway about 6.6 kilometres away, saying he had been very badly hurt in a family argument. (irishmirror.ie)
  • otherAnnie Heyneman worked as a carer for adults with disabilities (irishtimes.com)
  • otherDanny Heyneman returned to living at the family home in March 2020 after finishing an accountancy course in Sligo (irishtimes.com)
  • otherThe parents had taken to locking their bedroom door at night because they feared Danny might come in (irishtimes.com)
  • otherAnnie and Henk Heyneman met in the Netherlands in 1990 and had five children (irishtimes.com)
  • otherDanny Heyneman was one of five siblings (irishtimes.com)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 19 May2026
    In courtirishtimes.com, follow-up
    Man apologises to his family for murdering his mother in Cavan home

    Pre-sentencing hearing at which Danny Heyneman read a letter of apology to his family; Justice Tony Hunt said he would consider consecutive sentences for the 'vicious and prolonged' attacks; sentencing scheduled for 2 June 2026.

    convicted, Danny Heyneman, 33, male, named, non-irish (judged from name)Danny Heynemanvictim, Annie Heyneman, female, non-irish (judged from name)Annie Heynemanvictim, Henk Heyneman, male, non-irish (judged from name)Henk Heyneman
  2. 19 May2026
    In courtirishmirror.ie, follow-up
    Man apologises to his family for murdering his mother - stabbing her 14 times

    Sentencing hearing at which Danny Heyneman apologised to his family, the court heard detailed evidence of the attack and injuries, and Mr Justice Tony Hunt indicated he would consider consecutive sentences with sentencing set for 2 June 2026.

    victim, Annie Heyneman, 55, female, non-irish (judged from name)Annie Heynemanvictim, Henk Heyneman, male, non-irish (judged from name)Henk Heynemanconvicted, Danny Heyneman, 33, male, named, non-irish (judged from name)Danny Heyneman