Date set for Cavan murder trial

A man accused of murdering his mother, and attempting to murder his father at the home they shared, is due to stand trial in the first quarter of 2026.

A date to hear evidence in the case of Danny Heyneman (31) was set at a hearing, which took place at the Central Criminal Court last week.

Mr Heyneman, of Kilnavart, Ballyconnell, is charged with murdering his 55-year-old mum Annie on Saturday, January 11, 2025.

He is also charged with the attempted murder of his father Henk arising from the same alleged incident.

The CCJ will sit to assess case management in October, but Mr Heyneman’s trial is now scheduled for the middle of April 2026.

Last month he was sent forward for trial to the CCJ from Cavan District Court after a Book of Evidence was served on the accused by Detective Sergeant Walsh.

Members of the Heyneman family were present in court to witness the progress, with Judge Raymond Finnegan told the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) had directed for Mr Heyneman to be sent forward for trial by indictment.

The defendant was represented at the brief hearing by Joseph Smith BL, instructed by solicitor Damien Rudden, with an application was made for legal aid to be extended to cover a consultant forensic psychologist, as well as for a psychological assessment to be carried out.

Mr Heyneman is currently in custody at Dublin’s Cloverhill Prison.