Courts / Kerry / Report

Woman told sister she would have to let murder accused son 'go', trial hears

Date
2025-11-18

Stage
Finding

Primary locality
Killarney

County
Kerry

Summary

Helen O'Leary, 75‑year‑old sister of the deceased Miriam Burns, told the jury that she had spoken to Miriam on the phone three weeks before Miriam's death, saying she would have to let her son Billy "go", but Miriam did not want to hear it. O'Leary described Billy as having a manic episode linked to bipolar disorder at the time of the killing, shouting and talking to himself, and being drug‑addicted. She recalled that Miriam had called her upset, saying Billy had "gone out the door" and was "the worst ever that night". O'Leary also said Billy had called her a "fu**ing bitch" and that his siblings were afraid of him. The trial heard two consultant psychiatrists: Eugene Morgan, who said Billy qualified for a special verdict of not guilty by reason of insanity, and Stephen Monks, who said Billy understood the nature of his actions.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Woman told sister she would have to let murder accused son 'go', trial hears. Charges or matters: his mother's murder by reason of insanity. Procedural stage: finding. Findings: Not guilty by reason of insanity

When: