A man has apologised to his family for murdering his own mother by stabbing her at least 14 times. He also attempted to murder his father in a vicious and prolonged attack which left him fighting for his life.
Danny Heyneman, 33, one of five siblings, wept in court as members of his family detailed the trauma they have suffered since he murdered loving and caring Annie Heyneman, whose most cherished role was being a mother.
The court heard the defendant has some features of depression and a history of alcohol and polysubstance abuse, but does not suffer from a severe mental disorder, the Irish Mirror reports.
In a statement written by Heyneman's sister and three brothers, they spoke about how their mother had loved life and made everyone she knew feel special. She cared for others through her community work and through her profession as a carer for adults with disabilities, they said.
Their father, Henk Heyneman, said they loved all their children and allowed the defendant to live under their roof as an adult without expecting anything in return. We never expected him to be grateful, he said. But we never expected murder.
Keith Spencer BL, for Danny Heyneman, said his client deeply regrets his actions. He said he had penned a letter of apology which he wanted to read himself but was unable to do so having listened to his family's words. Mr Spencer read out the apology, in which his client said he has missed his family every day since the murder and is filled with sadness, grief and guilt. He said he struggles to put into words his regret at causing the loss of their mother, the injuries to their father and the trauma to his family and their friends. I miss you all. I am sorry for my actions. I understand I had a loving and supportive family who did their best for me and tried to get me help. Sorry. Sorry, he said.
Danny Heyneman, with an address at Kilnavart, Ballyconnell in Co Cavan, previously pleaded guilty to murdering Annie Heyneman at the family home on January 11, 2025. He also admitted attempting to murder Henk Heyneman at the same address on the same date. Mr Justice Tony Hunt said he would consider imposing consecutive sentences having listened to evidence of the defendant's vicious and prolonged attacks on both parents. The last couple of hours haven't been easy listening for anyone, he said, and the extent of the injuries speaks for itself. Mr Justice Hunt will pass sentence on June 2.
The court heard Heyneman had returned to live at the family home after finishing an accountancy course in March 2020, but a number of incidents over the following years resulted in him being admitted to psychiatric care. He stopped working and began drinking at home, leading to concerns about his alcohol use, the hearing was told. He became paranoid, wrapping electronic devices in tinfoil and causing his parents to lock their bedroom door at night out of fear of what he might do.
The court heard how the defendant's father had appeared at his neighbour's front door on January 11, 2025 with his right ear hanging off and stab wounds to his chest and stomach. Mr Heyneman told his neighbour that his wife needed immediate medical attention and might be dead. Don't let anyone near the house without the guards. Danny has gone crazy, he said.
Following his arrest, the defendant told cops he had drunk a bottle of vodka and a bottle of beer earlier in the day. He accepted that he had stabbed his mother and his father but said he couldn't remember doing it. Annie Heyneman, 55, was stabbed at least 14 times. Henk Heyneman suffered 26 sharp force wounds to his scalp, face, right ear, neck, chest, abdomen and both arms. They had been married for 23 years.
Henk Heyneman told the court he sees his wife lying on the floor every time he wakes or blinks. He remembers his son attacking him and the look in his eye. Mr Spencer said his client would have pleaded guilty earlier but the defence wanted to wait for a psychiatric report to establish if he had a defence under the Criminal Law (Insanity) Act. When a psychiatrist found that Heyneman had some features of depression and a history of alcohol and polystubstance abuse but not a severe mental disorder, Heyneman indicated immediately that he would plead guilty.
