A US national described in detail how he strangled his 66-year-old father with his bare hands and told him he would “always love him as he had his last breath,” an hour after arriving at a Midlands resort, a Central Criminal Court jury has heard.
Details of the Case
Henry McGowan, 31, of Clinton Street, Brooklyn, Modern York, has pleaded not guilty to the murder of his father, John McGowan, 66, by reason of insanity. The alleged murder took place at Ballyfin Demesne, Ballyfin, Portlaoise, Co Laois, on November 12th, 2024.
The prosecution alleges that despite being notified by the UK’s Metropolitan Police that McGowan was travelling to Ireland and there was concern for his welfare, gardaí failed to locate him at Dublin Airport upon his arrival from London shortly before 11pm on November 11th.
According to the prosecution, McGowan presented himself at the Mater hospital’s emergency department at 8:30am on November 12th, stating he was experiencing mental health challenges. At the time, John McGowan was en route from the US after concerning phone conversations with his son from Paris.
Expert psychiatrists for both the prosecution and defence agree that McGowan was experiencing a relapse of schizoaffective disorder at the time of the alleged murder and that he was under the delusion the person he was killing was not his father but “an impostor.”
Events at Ballyfin Demesne
The court heard that both McGowans arrived at the five-star hotel by taxi at 3:40pm on November 12th, after receiving a prescription for McGowan’s mental health difficulties. Hotel staff initially found Henry McGowan to be “perfectly normal and engaging.”
However, staff later observed him walking along the poolside naked. Shortly after, John McGowan was found by hotel management lying on the ground in the pool’s dressing area with a robe covering his head and a pool of blood nearby. CPR was administered, but he was pronounced dead.
Gardaí arrived at the hotel around 8:15pm and found Henry McGowan sitting in the library, dressed in his father’s clothes. When questioned, he admitted to harming his father, stating, “I killed who I thought was not my father downstairs, I hit his head against the wall and strangled him.” The cause of death was determined to be asphyxia due to manual strangulation and compression of the mouth.
In interviews with gardaí, McGowan stated he had been diagnosed with bipolar disorder at age 27 and had a history of cannabis apply. He also reported telling doctors he was “talking to God who was telling him what to do” and that he felt his father was “forcing” him to take medication.
Frequently Asked Questions
What was Henry McGowan’s plea?
Henry McGowan has pleaded not guilty to the murder of his father by reason of insanity.
When did the alleged murder take place?
The alleged murder took place on November 12th, 2024, at Ballyfin Demesne in Co Laois.
Did authorities know Henry McGowan was travelling to Ireland?
Yes, the UK’s Metropolitan Police notified gardaí that Henry McGowan was travelling to Ireland, but gardaí were unable to locate him at Dublin Airport upon his arrival.
As the trial continues before Justice Paul McDermott and a jury of six men and six women, what impact will the agreed-upon psychiatric assessments have on the ultimate outcome of this case?
