Luke Donnelly jailed for 6½ years for manslaughter of mother Catherine Henry in Dundalk
Luke Donnelly, 29, killed his mother Catherine Henry, 62, by kicking and stomping her in an apartment on Bridge Street, Dundalk, Co Louth, between 23 and 24 May 2023. Henry had taken out a safety order against her son in 2020. In February 2026, a Central Criminal Court jury found Donnelly not guilty of murder but guilty of manslaughter. At sentencing on 19 June 2026, Judge Paul McDermott set a headline sentence of 10 years, reduced to 7½ years with the last 12 months suspended for two years, effectively 6½ years in prison.
- Reportednot reported
- Arrestednot reported
- Chargednot reported
- In courtnot reported
- Verdictnot reported
- Sentenced4 Jun
2 reports
Key facts
consolidated from all reports- What happened
- Luke Donnelly, 29, killed his mother Catherine Henry, 62, by kicking and stomping her after she threatened to kill him.
- Where
- The killing took place in an apartment on Bridge Street, Dundalk, Co Louth.
- When
- The killing occurred between 23 and 24 May 2023.
- Cause
- Catherine Henry died from severe blunt force trauma to the head, and a bloodstained footprint was left on her back.
- Investigation
- Catherine Henry had taken out a safety order against her son in 2020, and probation services noted a high risk of reoffending.
- Other details
- Donnelly was a qualified fitness instructor and amateur kickboxer, and is of no fixed abode.
- Donnelly told the jury he lost all control and stomped, and he stepped over his mother's body and sought no help.
- Charges
- Donnelly was found not guilty of murder but guilty of manslaughter by a Central Criminal Court jury in February 2026.
- In court
- The sentencing hearing took place at the Central Criminal Court before Judge Paul McDermott.
- Sentence
- Judge Paul McDermott set a headline sentence of 10 years before mitigation, reduced to 7½ years with the last 12 months suspended for two years.
16 statements extracted from the articles
- whatA family member said it felt as if the deceased had been the one on trial. (irishtimes.com)
- whatDonnelly was found not guilty of murder but guilty of manslaughter by a Central Criminal Court jury in February. (irishtimes.com)
- whatCatherine Henry had taken out a safety order against her son in 2020. (irishtimes.com)
- whatDonnelly is of no fixed abode. (irishtimes.com)
- whatDonnelly was sentenced to 7½ years with the last 12 months suspended for two years (irishtimes.com)
- whatDonnelly was found not guilty of murder but convicted of manslaughter (irishtimes.com)
- whatHenry died from severe blunt force trauma to the head (irishtimes.com)
- whatA bloodstained footprint was left on Henry's back (irishtimes.com)
- whatDonnelly was a qualified fitness instructor and amateur kickboxer (irishtimes.com)
- whatProbation services noted a high risk of reoffending (irishtimes.com)
- whatDonnelly told the jury he lost all control and stomped (irishtimes.com)
- whereThe killing took place in an apartment on Bridge Street, Dundalk, Co Louth (irishtimes.com)
- whenThe killing occurred between 23 and 24 May 2023 (irishtimes.com)
- courtThe sentencing hearing took place at the Central Criminal Court. (irishtimes.com)
- courtJustice Paul McDermott remanded Donnelly in custody until 19 June 2026 for sentencing. (irishtimes.com)
- courtJudge Paul McDermott set a headline sentence of 10 years before mitigation (irishtimes.com)
The reporting
newest first- 19 Jun2026Amateur fighter who showed ‘callous indifference’ after killing his mother jailed
Sentencing report: Judge Paul McDermott noted 'callous indifference' as Donnelly stepped over his mother's body and sought no help. Headline sentence of 10 years reduced to 7½ years with 12 months suspended. Donnelly was acquitted of murder in February 2026 but convicted of manslaughter on a provocation defence.
victim, Catherine Henry, 62, female, irish (judged from name)Catherine Henryconvicted, Luke Donnelly, 29, male, named, irish (judged from name)Luke Donnelly - 4 Jun2026Son’s killing of mother left family ‘severely divided’, Central Criminal Court trial told
Sentencing hearing details: family members gave conflicting victim impact statements, Donnelly read an apology letter, and the judge remanded him until 19 June 2026 for the sentence to be handed down.
victim, Catherine Henry, 62, female, irish (judged from name)Catherine Henryconvicted, Luke Donnelly, 29, male, named, irish (judged from name)Luke Donnelly