Courts / Kerry / Report
Jury unanimously rejects insanity defence and convicts man of murdering mother
Summary
A jury at the Central Criminal Court unanimously convicted 55‑year‑old Billy Burns of murdering his 75‑year‑old mother, Miriam Burns, rejecting his plea of not guilty by reason of insanity. The jury found that the cause of the killing was not mental illness but Burns' long‑term drug and alcohol abuse and anger towards his mother. The trial, lasting one week, heard that Burns had been aggressive towards his mother since his teens, had once broken her jaw, and had denied any involvement in her death to Gardaí, lied about his movements on the day, and tried to destroy evidence. Two psychiatrists disagreed on whether Burns qualified for a special verdict; the jury rejected the defence's claim after six hours and eight minutes of deliberation. The verdict was delivered by Ms Justice Karen O'Connor, who adjourned the matter to Friday when Burns will face a mandatory life sentence.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Jury unanimously rejects insanity defence and convicts man of murdering mother. Procedural stage: sentence. Findings: Not guilty by reason of insanity
When:
- August 15, 2022 Hearing Or Sentence
- August 12 Other
- August 12 2022 Other
- August 16, 2022 Incident
- August 16 Other
- February 2023 Other
- 2025-11-24 Publication
Why: Shane Burns recalled Billy scalding their older sister Sharon with an iron because she told Billy to "calm down" during an argument with their mother. CNI source report
Case subjects
Defendant
Plea: Not guilty
Finding: Not guilty by reason of insanity
Outcome: Not guilty by reason of insanity; Following today's verdict, Ms Justice Karen O'Connor, who presided in the trial, adjourned the matter to this Friday when Burns faces the mandatory sentence of life imprisonment.; Following today's verdict, Ms Justice Karen O'Connor, who presided in the trial, adjourned the matter to this Friday when Burns faces the mandatory sentence of life imprisonment.
Places mentioned
- Central Criminal Court
- Central Mental Hospital
- Cork
- Cork Prison
- interviewed him at Killarney Garda Station
- Killarney
Topics
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