N.Y. Man Found Not Guilty by Reason of Insanity in Father's Murder at Ireland Hotel

Henry McGowan, 31, of Brooklyn, was found not guilty by reason of insanity in the 2024 murder of his father, John McGowan, 66

Published on Feb. 12, 2026

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A New York man was found not guilty by reason of insanity in the 2024 slaying of his 66-year-old father at a hotel in Ireland. Henry McGowan, 31, of Brooklyn, pleaded not guilty to the murder of his father, John McGowan, a financier from Ridgefield, Conn., at the Ballyfin Demesne Hotel in County Laois on Nov. 12, 2024. Two psychiatrists testified that Henry was suffering from schizoaffective disorder and having a psychotic break at the time of the killing.

Why it matters

This case highlights the challenges of providing adequate mental health support and the legal complexities around crimes committed during mental health crises. It also underscores the tragic consequences that can occur when families try to intervene to help a loved one in the midst of a mental health episode.

The details

During his trial, Henry admitted to strangling his father with his bare hands, telling him he would 'always love him as he had his last breath.' Henry's defense attorney called the case 'particularly tragic,' saying John's fatherly instinct led him to put his son's well-being ahead of his own, with 'fatal consequences.' Prosecutor Brendan Grehan agreed, saying John flew to Ireland to help his son 'without even stopping to drop a bag.'

  • On November 12, 2024, Henry McGowan killed his father John McGowan at the Ballyfin Demesne Hotel in County Laois, Ireland.
  • On February 12, 2026, Henry McGowan was found not guilty by reason of insanity in his father's murder.

The players

Henry McGowan

A 31-year-old man from Brooklyn, New York who was found not guilty by reason of insanity in the 2024 murder of his father.

John McGowan

A 66-year-old financier from Ridgefield, Connecticut who was killed by his son Henry at a hotel in Ireland in 2024.

Michael Bowman

Henry McGowan's defense attorney who called the case 'particularly tragic.'

Brendan Grehan

The prosecutor in the case who said John McGowan flew to Ireland to help his son 'without even stopping to drop a bag.'

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What they’re saying

“As some of you know, I had a manic episode in January 2022 and was diagnosed with Bipolar Disorder Type I. A little over a year ago, I was released from the hospital and began the process of reconnecting with reality, my dear friends and family, and eventually my work and hobbies.”

— Henry McGowan (Instagram)

“This case highlights the challenges of providing adequate mental health support and the legal complexities around crimes committed during mental health crises.”

— Brendan Grehan, Prosecutor (The Irish Times)

What’s next

Henry McGowan will be remanded to Central Mental Hospital in Dublin, where he had already been undergoing treatment.

The takeaway

This tragic case underscores the critical need for improved access to mental health resources and support, as well as the complex legal considerations around crimes committed during psychotic episodes. It serves as a sobering reminder of the devastating consequences that can occur when mental illness goes untreated.