Court hears plea from American over father's murder in Laois at Ballyfin Demense

A US national has pleaded not guilty by reason of insanity to murdering his 66-year-old father at the five-star Ballyfin Demesne hotel in Laois.

Henry McGowan (31), with an address at Clinton Street, Brooklyn, New York in the United States is charged with the murder of John McGowan (66) at Ballyfin Demesne, Ballyfin near Portlaoise on November 12, 2024.

Mr McGowan was arraigned before the Central Criminal Court on Monday, February 9, on the single charge of murder.

When the registrar read the indictment to the accused and asked him how he was pleading, Mr McGowan replied: “Not guilty by reason of insanity".

Mr Justice Sean Gillane told the jury panel that Henry McGowan is a US national, so it was highly unlikely that they knew him or knew anything about him.

The judge informed the potential jurors that the case will "traverse" issues related to mental health, which will be a live issue in the case. He asked them to make themselves available until Friday of this week.

The prosecution case is being led by senior counsel Brendan Grehan, while Michael Bowman SC and Olan Callanan BL are heading up the defence team.

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A jury of six men and six women was sworn in to hear the trial, which is due to begin tomorrow before Mr Justice Paul McDermott and is expected to last three days.