Ireland Trial of Henry McGowan over murder of father at Ballyfin Demesne, Laois
Henry McGowan is accused of murdering his father, John McGowan, a 66-year-old man, on November 12, 2024, at Ballyfin Demesne in Ballyfin, Portlaoise, Co Laois. The victim had travelled from the US to care for his son after phone calls raised concern for his welfare. In 2022 the accused was arrested at an airport in Paris after lunging at a family with a child on a flight. He was charged with murder and has pleaded not guilty by reason of insanity; his trial before Mr Justice Paul McDermott at the Central Criminal Court in Dublin is continuing, and on February 18, 2026 a second psychiatrist told the court he has schizoaffective disorder and meets the criteria for a special verdict of not guilty by reason of insanity.
- Reportednot reported
- Arrestednot reported
- Chargednot reported
- In court18 Feb
- Verdict
- Sentenced
Key facts
consolidated from all reports- What happened
- Henry McGowan is accused of murdering his father, John McGowan, who was 66.
- Where
- The killing took place at Ballyfin Demesne in Ballyfin, Portlaoise, Co Laois, described as a five-star midlands resort.
- When
- The killing took place on November 12, 2024.
- Cause
- The accused is alleged to have strangled his father.
- Weapon
- No weapon is reported; the strangulation was carried out with bare hands.
- Other details
- The victim travelled from the US to Ireland to look after his son after phone calls raised concern for his welfare.
- In 2022 the accused was arrested at an airport in Paris after lunging at a family with a child on a flight.
- The court was told the accused acted on a delusional belief that the family's infant needed to be sacrificed to protect the plane.
- Investigation
- A forensic psychiatrist's evidence at trial is that the accused has schizoaffective disorder.
- Charges
- Henry McGowan has been charged with the murder of his father John.
- In court
- The accused has pleaded not guilty by reason of insanity to the murder.
- The trial before Mr Justice Paul McDermott and a jury of six men and six women is taking place at the Central Criminal Court in Dublin.
- A psychiatrist told the court on February 18, 2026 that the accused meets the criteria for a special verdict of not guilty by reason of insanity.
- Sentence
- No verdict or sentence has been reported, as the trial is continuing.
9 statements extracted from the articles
- whereThe murder took place at Ballyfin Demesne in Ballyfin, Portlaoise, Laois. (leinsterexpress.ie)
- whenThe murder took place on November 12, 2024. (leinsterexpress.ie)
- causeThe accused strangled his father with his bare hands. (leinsterexpress.ie)
- investigationA forensic psychiatrist said the accused was suffering from schizoaffective disorder and met the criteria for a special verdict of not guilty by reason of insanity. (leinsterexpress.ie)
- chargeHenry McGowan is accused of the murder of his father John. (leinsterexpress.ie)
- courtThe accused has pleaded not guilty by reason of insanity to the murder. (leinsterexpress.ie)
- courtThe trial continues before Mr Justice Paul McDermott and a jury of six men and six women. (leinsterexpress.ie)
- otherThe victim travelled from the US to Ireland to look after his son after phone calls caused concern for his welfare. (leinsterexpress.ie)
- otherThe accused was arrested at an airport in Paris in 2022 after lunging at a family with a child on a flight. (leinsterexpress.ie)
The reporting
newest first- 18 Feb2026Man accused of murdering father at luxury Laois hotel had lunged at family on flight to Paris, court hears
Trial report from the Central Criminal Court in Dublin's Ballyfin Demesne case. Adds court proceedings, expert psychiatric evidence and the defence of insanity.
accused, Henry McGowan, 31, male, named, irish (judged from name)Henry McGowanvictim, John McGowan, 66, male, irish (judged from name)John McGowan