The midfielder was sent off for a scything challenge on Jordi Gomez after only 11 minutes, with the Spaniard then opening the scoring midway through the second half before Hugo Rodallega wrapped up the points with a late second.
"I've no argument at all with the red card," said the Wolves boss. "It's ill-judged, it's mistimed - it's very theatrical. We've a lad (Adlene Guedioura) at our place with a broken leg for six months from a tackle from a lad who went for the ball. It didn't look as theatrical and unfortunately, with Karl being in the press and the media so often recently, it was never going to be any other result."
It was not the first time this season Henry had been the focus of attention for his tackling, after a number of incidents involving Joey Barton against Newcastle, while it was also his challenge that led to Fulham striker Bobby Zamora breaking his leg.
McCarthy refused to go into what punishment, if any, Henry will face, preferring to leave the matter for another day.
"I'll speak to him," he continued. "But it's not really for immediately after the game when emotions are running high. I think, for the benefit of everybody concerned, it's best kept until Monday."
Wigan boss Roberto Martinez described it as the worst tackle he had seen at the DW Stadium and admitted he feared Gomez had broken his leg.
Martinez said: "It wasn't just the first contact. Karl catches Jordi with his knee, he comes with real force and you fear the worst. I felt it was a broken leg. He was a very fortunate man."
Martinez did not feel the red card helped his side, with memories of their 1-1 draw against Sunderland in similar circumstances still fresh, and he was proud of the way the Latics came through in the second half.
He said: "I didn't want to see that situation happening. The crowd got anxious, you feel that you're going to win without knowing how. But the second half was completely different. I was extremely proud of the players, how they found the solutions, how they learned from the last experience against Sunderland, and we created many chances."
Source: PA
Source: PA