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. 3716Murder · Co. Laois · 12 Nov 2024

Henry McGowan committed to Central Mental Hospital after insanity verdict in father's murder

Henry McGowan, 31, a New Yorker, was committed to the Central Mental Hospital on 26 February 2026 after a jury found him not guilty of the murder of his father John McGowan, 66, by reason of insanity. The killing took place at Ballyfin Demesne hotel, Co Laois, on 12 November 2024.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In court26 Feb
  5. Verdict
  6. Sentenced
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
11 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatHenry McGowan strangled his father at a five-star midlands resort (irishtimes.com)
  • whatThe defendant was suffering from schizoaffective disorder at the time of the killing (irishtimes.com)
  • whatForensic psychiatrist Dr Mark Joynt said McGowan presents with a severe relapsing mental illness in the absence of appropriate care (irishtimes.com)
  • whatMcGowan has fully accepted his diagnosis and is committed to remaining on medication including a long-acting injectable antipsychotic (irishtimes.com)
  • whereThe murder took place at Ballyfin Demesne, Ballyfin, Portlaoise, Co Laois (irishtimes.com)
  • whereMcGowan has an address at Clinton Street, Brooklyn, New York (irishtimes.com)
  • whenThe killing occurred just over an hour after the father arrived at the hotel (irishtimes.com)
  • whenThe incident occurred on 12 November 2024 (irishtimes.com)
  • courtA jury returned the special verdict of not guilty of murder by reason of insanity on 12 February 2026 (irishtimes.com)
  • courtThe judge committed McGowan to the Central Mental Hospital under the Criminal Law (Insanity) Act 2006 (irishtimes.com)
  • courtBrendan Grehan SC prosecuted the case before Judge Paul McDermott (irishtimes.com)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 26 Feb2026
    In courtirishtimes.com, follow-up
    New Yorker who killed his father at five-star resort committed to Central Mental Hospital

    Commitment order to the Central Mental Hospital under the Criminal Law (Insanity) Act 2006, made by Judge Paul McDermott at the Central Criminal Court on 26 February 2026, following the special verdict of not guilty by reason of insanity returned on 12 February 2026. Forensic psychiatrist Dr Mark Joynt recommended continued detention at CMH due to the severity of the defendant's schizoaffective disorder.

    victim, John McGowan, 66, male, American, non-irishJohn McGowanaccused, Henry McGowan, 31, male, American, named, non-irishHenry McGowan