Courts / Louth / Report
Man who told jury of being 'groomed' into drugs and violence by abusive mother found guilty of manslaughter
Summary
Luke Donnelly (29) was found not guilty of murder but guilty of the manslaughter of his mother, Catherine Henry (62), by a Central Criminal Court jury. The incident occurred at her Bridge Street apartment in Dundalk, Co Louth, on a date unknown between May 23 and 24, 2023. Donnelly had pleaded not guilty to murder but guilty to manslaughter. The jury accepted the defence of provocation, rejecting the prosecution's contention that the defences were unavailable. Donnelly alleged he was 'groomed' into a life of violence by his mother and acted in fear for his life after she threatened to kill him. A pathologist testified that Ms Henry died from severe blunt force trauma to the head, including multiple skull fractures. Following the verdict, Mr Justice Paul McDermott directed a probation report and remanded Donnelly in custody until May 11 for a sentence hearing. On that date, the Henry family will have the opportunity to make a statement regarding the impact of the death. The judge exempted the jury from service for five years.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Man who told jury of being 'groomed' into drugs and violence by abusive mother found guilty of manslaughter. Charges or matters: murder but guilty to the manslaughter of his mother Catherine Henry (62) at her apartment on Bridge Street in Dundalk, Co Louth on a date unknown between May 23 and 24 2023. Procedural stage: sentence
When:
- May 23 Hearing Or Sentence
- May 23 2023 Other
- May 11 Adjournment
- 2026-02-05 Publication
Case subjects
Defendant
Charges: murder but guilty to the manslaughter of his mother Catherine Henry (62) at her apartment on Bridge Street in Dundalk, Co Louth on a date unknown between May 23 and 24 2023 (Alleged Or Contested)
Plea: Not guilty
Outcome: The judge directed a probation report and remanded Donnelly in custody until May 11 for a sentence hearing.; The judge directed a probation report and remanded Donnelly in custody until May 11 for a sentence hearing.
Places mentioned
Topics
Drugs Stage Sentence Violent Crime
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