A 55-year-old man has been found guilty of the murder of his mother in Co Kerry more than three years ago.
Billy Burns had pleaded not guilty by reason of insanity to the murder of his mother Miriam at her home in Killarney in August 2022.
Psychiatrists for the prosecution and the defence had differed in their opinions about whether Burns, who was suffering from a manic episode related to bipolar disorder when he killed his mother, qualified for a special verdict of not guilty of murder by reason of insanity.
After deliberating for more than six hours since last Friday, the jury found him guilty of murder by unanimous verdict.
He will be sentenced on Friday.
Miriam Burns, aged 75, was found dead at her home at Ardshanavooly, Killarney, Co Kerry on 15 August 2022, when her other family members asked neighbours to check on her.
At the opening of the trial prosecuting counsel Sean Guerin told the court that Billy Burns was living rough in Killarney at the time.
He had returned home to visit his mother on 12 August 2022 when some sort of row took place. He said neighbours saw him leave the house and shout "you f***ing c***" as he left.
Mr Guerin said it appears that Burns returned to the house later that night and remained there overnight.
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Miriam Burns was last seen alive through a window of her house some time between 8pm and 10.30pm.
She had stopped responding to calls or texts later that night and it is believed she was killed some time after 10pm.
Accused tried to destroy evidence, court told
Burns was seen leaving the following morning. He returned later that night and left with a rucksack containing items from the house which he later tried to dispose of and burn in an attempt to destroy evidence, the court was told.
When the family became concerned about Miriam Burns they asked neighbours to check on her and she was found dead in her living room on 15 August.
She had died from asphyxia due to manual strangulation along with blunt force trauma to her head.
Burns was arrested on 16 August and was re-arrested in February 2023 as a result of further investigations.
Burns's treating psychiatrist Dr Eugene Morgan, who was called by the defence, told the trial that the accused met the criteria for the special verdict of not guilty by reason of insanity.
Dr Stephen Monks, a consultant psychiatrist at the Central Mental Hospital, said that despite Burns's mental illness, he understood the nature and quality of his actions when killing his mother.
State Pathologist Dr Margaret Bolster gave evidence that Ms Burns had injuries to her face, neck, back and legs that were consistent with multiple blows, manual strangulation and possible suffocation.
In closing arguments, the prosecution asked the jury to consider whether Burns was attempting to "pull the wool" over their eyes by pretending he was suffering from psychosis to secure a verdict of not guilty by reason of insanity.
Prosecuting Counsel Sean Guerin said Burns's history of aggressive and abusive behaviour towards his mother was not explained by psychiatric illness. He said the real cause was his abuse of drugs and alcohol in the lead-up to the killing and that he was annoyed.
He said further evidence of his level of understanding could be gleaned from his denial to gardaí of any involvement in his mother's killing and lies he told about his movements on the day.
Anthony Sammon SC, for the defence, said that the consultant psychiatrist called by the prosecution had not effectively countered the opinion given by Dr Morgan that the accused was so mentally unwell when he killed his mother that he did not understand what he was doing, did not know it was wrong and was unable to refrain.
He pointed out that the accused had told Dr Monks that he stabbed his mother and slit her throat, an account of the killing that Mr Sammon said was not in accordance with reality.
Judge Karen O'Connor adjourned the case for sentence to Friday next when it is expected victim impact statements will be heard.
She expressed her condolence to the Burns family and said "incredible integrity" had been shown throughout the trial process, adding: "We have had an insight into your gorgeous mother."
