American Henry McGowan was found to be having a psychotic episode when he strangled his Father.
A jury has returned a special verdict of not guilty by reason of insanity in the trial of an American man who stood trial for murdering his father at Ballyfin Demesne.
31-year-old Henry McGowan, from Brooklyn, New York, was found to be having a psychotic episode when he strangled John McGowan to death at the 5-star hotel.
It happened on the 12th of November 2024 after his father travelled to Ireland in search of his son who was having mental health difficulties.
Tragically, he died at the hands of his son in a changing room just off the swimming pool area where they were due to stay while Henry waited on new travel documents after discarding his passport and belongings.
Two independent forensic psychiatrists were in agreement that Henry was having a psychotic episode when he strangled his father to death.
He had a history of mental illness and was diagnosed with schizoaffected disorder.
The facts of the case were not in dispute, and after just over an hour of jury deliberations, the special verdict was returned this afternoon.
Henry McGowan will now be further assessed at the Central Mental Hospital.
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