NY rich kid found not guilty by reason of insanity over murder of millionaire financier dad at posh Irish resort

A tragic incident unfolded in Ireland in 2024 when Henry McGowan, a mentally ill New York man, was found not guilty by reason of insanity for the brutal murder of his millionaire financier father, John McGowan. The 31-year-old had a history of mental illness and was in the midst of a psychotic episode when he beat and choked his father to death at a luxurious hotel resort.

John McGowan had flown to Ireland to help his son, who was experiencing a mental health crisis. Henry, who had been diagnosed with bipolar disorder in 2022, had trashed his passport and belongings at the airport before his father’s arrival. The elder McGowan, a partner at an investment firm in New York, checked them into the posh Ballyfin Demesne resort while they waited for a new emergency passport.

The tragic event occurred in the resort’s pool area, where Henry stripped naked and attacked his father in a changing cubicle, leaving him lying in a pool of blood. He later told investigators that he believed God had willed him to strangle his father because he was trying to force him to take his medication. Despite the horrific act, he expressed his love for his father moments before his death.

Psychiatrists testified during the trial that Henry was suffering from a schizoaffective disorder at the time of the murder. His prior mental health history, including an incident in 2022 where he attempted to snatch a stranger’s baby on a plane, was detailed in court. Following the verdict, Henry was returned to Dublin’s Central Mental Hospital for further treatment.

A judge will rule on his court-ordered treatment plan at a hearing scheduled for February 20. The tragic case highlights the importance of mental health awareness and the challenges faced by individuals struggling with severe mental illnesses.