Thursday 29 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. 11303Murder · Co. Louth

Louth murder trial hears evidence from accused's sister about mother

Luke Donnelly (29) is on trial at the Central Criminal Court for the murder of his mother, Catherine Henry, who died at her apartment on Bridge Street in Dundalk, Co Louth, on a date unknown between 23 and 24 May 2023. He has pleaded not guilty to murder but guilty to manslaughter. On Tuesday 27 January 2026 his sister, Kathleen Donnelly, told the jury she was terrified of their mother growing up, and his father, Gerry Donnelly, gave evidence about changes he saw in his son. The trial is continuing before Mr Justice Paul McDermott and a jury of seven men and five women.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In court22 Jan
    2 reports
  5. Verdict
  6. Sentenced
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
Luke Donnelly, aged 29, is on trial for the murder of his mother, Catherine Henry.
Where
The death took place at the victim's apartment on Bridge Street in Dundalk, Co Louth.
When
The death occurred on a date unknown between 23 and 24 May 2023.
Charges
Luke Donnelly pleaded not guilty to murder but guilty to manslaughter.
In court
  • The trial is being heard at the Central Criminal Court.
  • The trial continues before Mr Justice Paul McDermott and a jury of seven men and five women.
Other details
  • His sister, Kathleen Donnelly, told the jury she was terrified of the deceased growing up and that the deceased abused her and her siblings daily.
  • His sister told the jury that Luke always went back to their mother no matter how she treated him and that he idolised her.
  • His sister told the jury that Luke texted her on 23 May 2023 saying he was 'Jesus Christ'.
  • His sister said she drove him to St Loman's psychiatric hospital in Mullingar on the evening of 24 May.
  • His father, Gerry Donnelly, who was once married to the deceased, said he observed personality changes in his son in the year before the death.
22 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatA man has gone on trial accused of the murder of his mother in Dundalk three years ago. (rte.ie)
  • whatThe prosecution alleges Donnelly went to his mother's address early on 23 May and murdered her. (rte.ie)
  • whereThe killing happened at an apartment in Bridge Street, Dundalk. (rte.ie)
  • whereThe killing took place at the victim's apartment on Bridge Street in Dundalk, Co Louth. (dundalkdemocrat.ie)
  • whenMs Henry returned to her apartment around 9.45am on 23 May and was never seen alive again. (rte.ie)
  • whenConcerns were raised about Ms Henry on 24 May and a man found her body that evening. (rte.ie)
  • whenThe death occurred on a date unknown between 23 and 24 May 2023. (dundalkdemocrat.ie)
  • causeA post-mortem found extensive blunt force trauma to her face and head, including multiple skull fractures that may have been caused by stomping or kicking. (rte.ie)
  • investigationA partial bloody footprint on clothing Ms Henry was wearing strongly supports that it was made by the accused's footwear. (rte.ie)
  • chargeDonnelly admits manslaughter but denies murdering Catherine Henry. (rte.ie)
  • chargeThe accused pleaded not guilty to murder but guilty to manslaughter. (dundalkdemocrat.ie)
  • courtThe prosecution said the jury must decide whether the question is murder or not. (rte.ie)
  • courtThe barrister said the jury panel must decide whether the murder case was proved to the required standard. (rte.ie)
  • courtThe trial is being heard at the Central Criminal Court. (dundalkdemocrat.ie)
  • courtThe trial continues before Mr Justice Paul McDermott and a jury of seven men and five women. (dundalkdemocrat.ie)
  • otherThe prosecution says Donnelly left Bridge Street at 3.30pm that day and went to Dundalk bus station to travel to Dublin. (rte.ie)
  • otherThe prosecution says Donnelly disposed of Ms Henry's personal items, including her phone and a SIM card. (rte.ie)
  • otherThe accused's sister had concerns about his mental health on 23 May. (rte.ie)
  • otherThe accused's sister told the jury that Luke texted her on 23 May 2023 saying he was 'Jesus Christ'. (dundalkdemocrat.ie)
  • otherThe accused's sister said she was terrified of the deceased growing up and that she abused her children daily. (dundalkdemocrat.ie)
  • otherThe accused's sister said she drove him to St Loman's psychiatric hospital in Mullingar on the evening of 24 May. (dundalkdemocrat.ie)
  • otherThe accused's father said he observed personality changes in his son in the year before the death. (dundalkdemocrat.ie)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 28 Jan2026
    In courtdundalkdemocrat.ie, first report
    Louth murder trial hears accused’s sister was “absolutely terrified” of mother growing up

    Reports the Central Criminal Court trial: the accused's pleas, the sister's and father's evidence about the deceased and the accused, and the trial continuing before a jury.

    victim, Catherine Henry, 62, female, irish (judged from name)Catherine Henryaccused, Luke Donnelly, 29, male, named, irish (judged from name)Luke Donnelly
  2. 22 Jan2026
    In courtrte.ie, follow-up
    Man goes on trial over mother's murder in Dundalk in 2023

    Reports the opening of the murder trial, including the prosecution's outline of its case: the timeline, the post-mortem findings, footprint evidence and the accused's alleged disposal of the victim's phone and SIM card. Also reports evidence of the accused's sister about his mental health.

    accused, Luke Donnelly, 29, male, named, irish (judged from name)Luke Donnellyvictim, Catherine Henry, female, irish (judged from name)Catherine Henry