75-year-old had injuries to face, neck, back and legs, court hears

Eoin Reynolds

A 75-year-old woman had injuries to her face, neck, back and legs that are consistent with multiple blows, manual strangulation and possible suffocation, a pathologist has told the Central Criminal Court.

Miriam Burns died from her injuries, which were inflicted by her son, Billy Burns (55). Mr Burns has pleaded not guilty to his mother's murder by reason of insanity.

The court has heard that Mr Burns has a diagnosis of bipolar affective disorder.

Eugene Morgan, a consultant psychiatrist at Cork Prison who was called by the defence, has told the trial that the accused meets the criteria for the special verdict.

Dr Stephen Monks, a consultant psychiatrist at the Central Mental Hospital, said that despite Mr Burns's mental illness, he understood the nature and quality of his actions when killing his mother.

Ms Burns was found dead at her home at Ardshanavooley, Killareny, Co Kerry on August 15th, 2022. The prosecution alleges that Mr Burns inflicted the fatal injuries on August 12th or 13th.

State Pathologist Dr Margaret Bolster on Monday told prosecution counsel Sean Guerin SC that she carried out a post mortem on Ms Burns's body on August 16th, 2022.

She noted evidence of "very extensive trauma" to the body, including bruises on the head, face, neck, back, and legs.

Her nasal bone was fractured, and there was bruising around both eyes.

The various injuries, she said, were consistent with multiple blows. Bruising to the back of the right hand was in keeping with an offensive or defensive injury, and three small bruises to the upper arm could have been caused by gripping, she said.

There was extensive bruising to the neck muscles and petechial or pinprick haemorrhages that are in keeping with manual strangulation. Abrasions on Ms Burns's neck suggest a defensive injury caused when she tried to relieve pressure on her neck, although the abrasion could have been caused by the perpetrator, Dr Bolster said.

An extensive area of bruising inside the mouth was consistent with a blow or with a hand pressing against the mouth to cause suffocation.

The pathologist found no evidence of significant natural illness, and drugs and alcohol played no part in her death.

The cause of death, Dr Bolster found, was asphyxia by manual strangulation associated with blunt force trauma to the head with no other contributory factors.

The trial continues before Ms Justice Karen O'Connor and a jury of eight men and four women.