Overview
- The Central Criminal Court jury of eight men and four women deliberated for six hours and eight minutes before returning a unanimous guilty verdict.
- State Pathologist Dr Margaret Bolster testified that Miriam Burns died from manual strangulation associated with blunt-force head trauma and multiple other injuries.
- Defence psychiatrist Dr Eugene Morgan said Billy Burns was hypomanic from bipolar disorder and met the insanity criteria, while consultant psychiatrist Dr Stephen Monks said he understood his actions and knew they were wrong.
- Prosecutors argued the killing stemmed from long-term drug and alcohol abuse and anger toward his mother, citing prior violence, denials to gardaí, lies about his movements, and alleged efforts to destroy evidence.
- Ms Justice Karen O'Connor adjourned the case to Friday for the mandatory life sentence, invited family statements, and remanded Burns in custody.