A Kilkenny man has been found not guilty of the murder of his ex-girlfriend by reason of insanity.

Shane Smyth of McGuinness House, Evans Lane stabbed Mairead Moran to death at the Market Cross Shopping Centre in Kilkenny in May 2014.

It took the jury just 55 minutes to return the special verdict of NOT guilty by reason of insanity.

During four days of evidence, they heard how Shane Smyth had become convinced that Mairead Moran was part of a conspiracy to steal his blood.

On May 8th 2014, he went to the Holland & Barrett shop where she worked and stabbed her eight times.

Passersby ran to her side, while he made his way to his cousinÂ’s house where he was arrested a short time later.

The trial heard Mr. Smyth was diagnosed with paranoid schizophrenia over ten years ago, but refused to take his medication and went largely untreated.

Two psychiatrists concluded he didnÂ’t have the capacity to form the relevant criminal intent for murder, and the jurors agreed.

The 29-year-old has been committed to the Central Mental Hospital where heÂ’ll be assessed ahead of a hearing next week to determine the best course of action.

Our Courts Correspondent Frank Greaney reports: