Murder accused ‘suffers paranoid schizophrenia’

A forensic psychiatrist has told a jury a murder accused suffering from “paranoid schizophrenia” did not have the “capacity to form intent” and “harboured a moral justification for his actions”.

Shane Smyth, aged 29, of McGuinness House, Evans Lane, Kilkenny, is charged with murdering Mairead Moran, 26, on May 8, 2014, at Market Cross Shopping Centre in Kilkenny City.

On Monday at the Central Criminal Court, Mr Smyth pleaded not guilty to murdering Ms Moran by reason of insanity. Yesterday, forensic psychiatrist Brenda Wright was called to testify.