Courts / Kerry / Report
Psychiatrists differ on whether man accused of murdering mother qualifies for insanity verdict
Summary
Two consultant psychiatrists have given conflicting opinions on whether Billy Burns, 55, who killed his mother Miriam Burns, 75, in August 2022, qualifies for a special verdict of not guilty by reason of insanity. Dr Eugene Morgan, the defence's psychiatrist, testified that Burns was hypomanic at the time of the murder and later deteriorated to mania, with a diagnosis of bipolar affective disorder. He argued that Burns' mental illness meant he did not understand the nature or wrongness of his actions and could not refrain from them, satisfying the Criminal Law (Insanity) Act 2006. In contrast, Dr Stephen Monks, the Director of Public Prosecutions' psychiatrist, concluded that Burns' mania, though present, did not remove his capacity to understand the wrongness of his act and therefore did not support a special verdict. Both doctors were cross‑examined by the defence before Justice Karen O'Connor and a jury of eight men and four women.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Psychiatrists differ on whether man accused of murdering mother qualifies for insanity verdict. Charges or matters: her murder by reason of insanity and is on trial at the Central Criminal Court. Procedural stage: finding. Findings: Not guilty by reason of insanity
When:
- August 12 Hearing Or Sentence
- August 15, 2022 Hearing Or Sentence
- January 24 Other
- 2025-11-14 Publication
Why: He said he would not ask about the alleged offence because he would not want to be "put in a situation of having information you might have to divulge in court". CNI source report
Case subjects
Accused
Charges: her murder by reason of insanity and is on trial at the Central Criminal Court (Alleged Or Contested)
Plea: Not guilty
Finding: Not guilty by reason of insanity
Outcome: Not guilty by reason of insanity
Places mentioned
- Central Criminal Court
- Cork
- Cork Prison
- Central Mental Hospital
Topics
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