Man pleads guilty to murdering his mother and attempting to murder his father

Fiona Magennis

A Cavan man has pleaded guilty to murdering his mother and attempting to murder his father at the family home in January 2025.

Danny Heyneman was arraigned before the Central Criminal Court on Monday, where prosecution senior counsel Gerardine Small said the defendant could be arraigned on two charges.

The 32-year-old, with an address at Kilnavart, Ballyconnell in Co Cavan, pleaded guilty to a charge that he murdered Annie Heyneman at that address on January 11th 2025.

He also admitted attempting to murder Henk Heyneman at the same address on the same date.

Small told the court that victim impact statements would be required.

Keith Spencer, representing Danny Heyneman, asked that an education and governors' reports be prepared in respect of his client.

He told the court the defence intends to use parts of a previously prepared psychiatric report at the sentencing hearing.

Justice Paul McDermott fixed a sentencing date of May 19th.

He said he would hear background evidence to the case and victim impact statements on that date. The judge also directed that education and governors’ reports be prepared.