US man found not guilty of father's murder by reason of insanity

An American man who killed his father at a five-star Irish hotel has been found not guilty of murder by reason of insanity.

Henry McGowan, 31, from Clinton Street, Brooklyn, New York, killed his 66-year-old father John McGowan at Ballyfin Demesne on 12 November 2024.

The court heard two consultant psychiatrists, for the defence and prosecution, agreed Henry McGowan was suffering from schizoaffective disorder at the time of the killing.

McGowan suffered a relapse of his mental health during a trip around Europe, and his father had travelled from the US to Ireland to take him back.

Irish broadcaster RTÉ reports that Henry Mcgowan had travelled to Dublin on 11 November, where he claimed he ran from Dublin Airport to the city centre.

The next day he went to the Mater Hospital where he was prescribed medication.

His family had become deeply concerned about him and his father flew from the US on what was described as a mission of mercy to bring him home.

However, within hours of reuniting with his son, John McGowan had been killed by Henry, who was going through a psychotic episode.

The case will be back in court again on 20 February, when the judge will hear evidence about the proposed treatment programme for Henry McGowan.