American man 'murders his millionaire financier father' in Ireland

by · Mail Online

A Connecticut heir murdered his financier dad at a five star Irish hotel after his father came to help him through a mental health episode, police say.

Henry McGowan, 30, appeared at Portlaoise District Court on Thursday after the death of his father John McGowan, 66, at the Ballyfin Demesne hotel in Laois on Tuesday. 

McGowan was charged with his murder and made no reply to the charge when he was cautioned by Garda, the Irish Police, according to The Irish Times. 

The outlet reported that McGowan was remanded in custody inside Cloverhill Prison and the case was adjourned to November 18. 

McGowan's lawyer Barry Fitzgerald said he suffers from significant mental health difficulties. 

Garda sources told Extra.ie that Henry had arrived at the hotel several days before the death after a trip around mainland Europe.

The outlet reported that he soon started acting erratically at the hotel and staff then alerted his father who was in the US at the time. 

The judge presiding over the case has allowed McGowan to receive immediate medical assistance relating to his mental health.

Henry McGowan, pictured, is accused of murdering his financier dad during a mental health episode at an ultra-luxurious Irish hotel 
John McGowan, seen here, was found unresponsive inside the leisure area of the hotel and was later pronounced dead
The McGowan family home in New Canaan, Connecticut is pictured. John McGowan spent decades working as a financier 

The elder McGowan was found unresponsive inside the leisure area of the hotel and was later pronounced dead.  

The police say the death was caused by a 'fatal assault' and have launched an investigation. 

According to public records, Henry McGowan lived in New Canaan, Connecticut, inside a home valued at $1.9 million. 

The brutal murdered happened at Ballyfin Demense, pictured

His LinkedIn profile indicates he had been a head partner for a brokerage firm specializing in trading on the New York stock exchange. 

McGowan had first worked as a Head Partner for Cohen, Duffy, McGowan & Co LLC, before more recently working with Torus Capital. 

He had graduated from Northwestern University, in Evanston, Illinois, with a Bachelors of Arts in Economics.  

The Ballyfin Demesne, set in a 614-acre estate near the Slieve Bloom mountains, is a popular destination for many celebrities.

Kim Kardashian and Kanye West honeymooned at the site after reportedly being turned away from Glin Castle.