Son given life sentence for murdering his 75-year-old mother

Miriam Burns, who was 75, was found dead at her home in the Ardshanavooly housing estate in Killarney

A man found guilty of murdering his mother in County Kerry, has been sentenced to life in prison.

Miriam Burns, who was 75, was found dead at her home in the Ardshanavooly housing estate in Killarney on 15 August 2022.

Her 55-year-old son, Billy Burns, had pleaded not guilty by reason of insanity to the murder, but a jury later found him guilty of murder by unanimous verdict.

At the Criminal Courts of Justice on Friday, Judge Karen O'Connor said the family had displayed "extraordinary dignity and composure at all times" despite hearing heartbreaking evidence of the violent nature of their mother's death.

Irish broadcaster RTÉ reports that Judge O'Connor said the loss of a mother "is always painful" and that "this was a trial which those of us were privileged to see an insight into the type of person she was".

The judge added that "the love and grief the family feels was palpable during the trial and testament of the love she gave all of you".

Attempt to destroy evidence

Ms Burns died from asphyxia due to manual strangulation along with blunt force trauma to her head.

The trial was told Billy Burns was living rough in Killarney at the time of his mother's murder.

He had returned home to visit her on 12 August 2022 when a row took place.

Neighbours saw him shouting obscenities as he left the house.

A prosecutor said Burns returned to the home later and stayed the night.

Miriam Burns was last seen alive through a window of her house some time between 20:00 and 22:30 local time.

She had stopped responding to calls or texts later that night and it is believed she was killed some time after 22:00.

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 in an attempt to destroy evidence, the court was told.

When the family became concerned, they asked neighbours to check on the 75-year-old.

She was found dead in her living room on 15 August.

Burns was arrested the following day and was re-arrested in February 2023 as a result of further investigations.