A man has pleaded not guilty by reason of insanity to the murder of a young woman at a shopping centre in Kilkenny.

Mairead Moran died after being attacked while working at a Holland & Barrett shop in May 2014.

Ms Moran (26) was originally from Kilmaganny in Co Kilkenny, but had been living in Kilkenny city for several years.

At around 8.30pm on the evening of May 8th 2014, she was stabbed several times while working at the Market Cross Shopping Centre.

Some passersby and workers from a nearby Supervalu ran to her aid, but she died from her injuries some time later.

Today, Shane Smyth of McGuinness House, Evans Lane, Kilkenny City pleaded not guilty to her murder by reason of insanity.

A jury was sworn in to hear his trial, which is due to begin hearing evidence tomorrow and is likely to take up to three days.