Courts / Kerry / Report

Jury to return Monday in trial of man accused of murdering his mother

Summary

The jury in the trial of Billy Burns, a 55-year-old Kerry man accused of murdering his mother, has ceased deliberations for the weekend and will reconvene on Monday. Burns has pleaded not guilty by reason of insanity to the murder of his mother, Miriam Burns, who was found dead at her home in 2022. Two psychiatrists have given conflicting opinions on whether Burns qualifies for a special verdict of not guilty by reason of insanity. Burns' treating psychiatrist, Dr. Eugene Morgan, argued that he met the criteria for the special verdict, while Dr. Stephen Monks, a consultant psychiatrist, stated that Burns understood the nature of his actions. The prosecution has argued that Burns' violent behavior was not due to mental illness but rather drug and alcohol abuse. The jury can return one of four verdicts: guilty of murder, not guilty by reason of insanity, not guilty of murder but guilty of manslaughter by reason of diminished responsibility, or not guilty.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Jury to return Monday in trial of man accused of murdering his mother. Procedural stage: finding. Findings: Not guilty by reason of insanity

When:

• August 15, 2022 Other
• August 12 Other
• 2025-11-21 Publication

Case subjects

Places mentioned

Topics

Drugs Stage Finding Violent Crime

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Read the original CNI report