Drogheda Man on Trial for Mother’s Death, court Hears of Mental Health Struggles
A man from Drogheda, ireland, is on trial accused in connection with the death of his mother, Mary Henry, in May 2023.The Central Criminal Court has heard testimony detailing the accused, Luke Donnelly’s, deteriorating mental state in the months leading up to the incident.
Witness Testimony: A Descent into Delusion
Ms. Patricia Campbell, a witness and long-time friend of both the accused and the deceased, testified that she had a relationship with Mr. Donnelly for three years. She stated that Ms. Henry frequently stayed with her and her son. Ms. Campbell recounted that Ms. Henry was in good health during her last visit on May 22, 2023.
Though,Ms. Campbell described Mr. Donnelly’s behavior as increasingly erratic. She stated he “wasn’t in a right state of mind for a long, long time,” and that “he was just not the same person. It was like he was losing his mind as the weeks went on.” She further testified that he repeatedly claimed to be Jesus Christ, even telling both Ms. Henry and Ms. Campbell’s mother,who were both battling cancer,that he had cured them.
The court also heard that Mr. donnelly had gone missing for three days in November 2022, during which time he climbed Croagh Patrick, a mountain in County Mayo, barefoot. He had also expressed intentions to move to Liverpool.
Events of May 23, 2023
Ms. Campbell testified that Mr. Donnelly repeatedly called her in the early hours of May 23, 2023, urging her to wake his mother, claiming he was Jesus and the only one who could protect them. He later arrived at her home at 7:00 AM, where Ms. Henry opened the door. Mr. Donnelly then pushed his way into the hallway.
Ms. Henry asked him to leave, and he complied. Ms. Campbell described Mr. Donnelly as “calm” during the encounter, attributing his actions to his belief that he was Jesus. She immediately contacted the police, who arrived approximately an hour later.
Ms. Campbell last saw Ms. Henry at approximately 8:20 AM on May 23, as they left together, with Ms. Henry planning to take a bus back to Dundalk.She learned of Ms. henry’s death later that evening, around 8:00 PM on May 24.
Ms. Campbell affirmed that Ms. Henry and Mr.Donnelly had a loving relationship, despite occasional disagreements.
Drug use and Mental Health Concerns
During cross-examination by the defense, Ms.Campbell stated that Mr. Donnelly would “do anything” for his mother and expressed deep concern about his drug use, which she described as a “big worry” and a contributing factor to his declining health. She stated his condition worsened as his drug use increased.
In re-examination, Ms. Campbell indicated she believed Mr. Donnelly was under the influence of drugs when he visited her home,although she couldn’t be certain due to his already unusual behavior. She also revealed that when she messaged him asking about his mother’s whereabouts, he replied that he didn’t know and refused to discuss the matter further.
Revelation of the Body
Liam reed testified that he was asked to check on Ms. Henry’s welfare on May 24, 2023, at around 7:20 PM. He found the door to her apartment open and discovered her lying unresponsive in the bedroom. He immediately called emergency services, but paramedics were unable to detect a pulse, and she was pronounced dead.
Advanced Paramedic Martin Quigley described the scene, noting the presence of significant blood around Ms. Henry’s head, with her hair matted with blood. He identified a footprint stained with blood on the back of her jumper and another footprint closer to the door.
Justice paul McDermott adjourned the trial, instructing the jury to return on monday to continue hearing evidence.