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. 2933Manslaughter (arson) · Co. Donegal · 12 Apr 2022

German man jailed for 12 years for manslaughter of mother in Donegal house fire

Guenter Lohse, 63, a German man, was sentenced to 13 years (with 12 months suspended) at the Central Criminal Court for the manslaughter of his 88-year-old mother Ruth Lohse, who died in a house fire he started with long matches in Coolvoy, Doochary, Co Donegal, on 12 April 2022. He had originally been charged with murder but pleaded guilty to manslaughter.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In courtnot reported
  5. Verdictnot reported
  6. Sentenced15 Nov
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
13 statements extracted from the articles
  • whereThe fire occurred at a house in Coolvoy, Doochary, Co Donegal (irishtimes.com)
  • whenThe incident took place on 12 April 2022 (irishtimes.com)
  • causeHe claimed he was only trying to destroy the property and not harm his mother (irishtimes.com)
  • causeHe was upset that the family had planned to send him back to Germany but keep his mother in Donegal (irishtimes.com)
  • weaponHe started the fire using long matches (irishtimes.com)
  • chargeHe pleaded guilty to manslaughter after originally being charged with murder (irishtimes.com)
  • sentenceGuenter Lohse was sentenced to 13 years with the final 12 months suspended (irishtimes.com)
  • sentenceThe headline sentence set by the judge was 18 years (irishtimes.com)
  • sentenceThe judge recommended he serve his sentence at Castlerea Prison (irishtimes.com)
  • otherThe victim was 88 years old and had dedicated her life to caring for the defendant (irishtimes.com)
  • otherThe defendant was considered a vulnerable person due to asphyxiation at birth from umbilical cord complications (irishtimes.com)
  • otherThere was no sign of a credible effort to assist or save the victim (irishtimes.com)
  • otherThe victim died in horrific circumstances (irishtimes.com)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 15 Nov2024
    Sentencedirishtimes.com, first report
    ‘Solitary and sad’ German man (63) jailed for 12 years over house fire that killed mother

    Sentencing details: judge's reasoning, headline sentence of 18 years reduced to 13 years (12 months suspended) for mitigating factors, aggravating factors, and recommendation to serve at Castlerea Prison.

    victim, Ruth Lohse, 88, female, German, non-irishRuth Lohseconvicted, Guenter Lohse, 63, male, German, named, non-irishGuenter Lohse