Shane Smyth pleads not guilty to Kilkenny murder

This report is a localnews.ie summary based on public court reporting and records; sources are listed below.

Shane Smyth pleaded not guilty by reason of insanity to murdering Mairead Moran at the Central Criminal Court on 1 February 2016.

The charge relates to the death of Ms Moran at Market Cross Shopping Centre in Kilkenny City on 8 May 2014. On 4 February 2016, forensic psychiatrist Brenda Wright told the jury that Mr Smyth had paranoid schizophrenia and lacked the capacity to form intent, according to the report.

The trial was continuing, with the court hearing evidence about Mr Smyth’s psychiatric history and his relationship with Ms Moran.