Psychiatrists differ over insanity verdict in Kerry matricide case

At odds on whether man who was suffering from a manic episode related to bipolar disorder when he killed his mother qualifies for a special verdict of not guilty by reason of insanity

Billy Burns has pleaded not guilty to her murder by reason of insanity and is on trial at the Central Criminal Court.

Two consultant psychiatrists have differed on whether a man who was suffering from a manic episode related to bipolar disorder when he killed his mother qualifies for a special verdict of not guilty by reason of insanity.

Dr Eugene Morgan, who was called by defence lawyers for Billy Burns, aged 55, confirmed under cross-examination that he never asked the accused about the killing of his mother.