Two forensic psychiatrists have told the murder trial of Saverio Bellante that he fulfils the criteria of not guilty by reason of insanity.

Mr Bellante (36) has admitted killing his landlord on the night of January 11th last year.

The jury has been told that the only question they have to consider is whether insanity was a factor.

Witness for the DPP, Dr Stephen Monks said Mr Bellante was suffering from schizophrenia, and in the grips of acute psychosis, at the time he killed Tom O’Gorman, in January 2014.

Speaking for the defence, Dr Conor O’Neill said that Mr Bellante did not know what he was doing was wrong because he believed Mr O’Gorman was the devil.

The jury in the murder trial of Saverio Bellante has also heard he stopped taking antipsychotic drugs three days before killing Tom O'Gorman.

Monks examined Mr Bellante when he was admitted to the Central Mental Hospital, shortly after killing Mr O'Gorman at the house they shared in Castleknock in Dublin in January of last year.

He said Mr Bellante had suffered from mental problems in his early 20s, and had been reducing the dosage of his medication under supervision until he stopped taking it on January 9th.

Dr Monks said Mr Bellante started to feel unwell on January 10th, and started to interpret things as good and evil.

Accused: Saverio Bellante | Image: RollingNews.ie

On the night Mr O'Gorman was stabbed, January 11th, Mr Bellante said Mr O'Gorman started thinking like the devil, or was the devil.

Mr Bellante admits stabbing Mr O'Gorman and hitting him with a dumbbell, after which he ate part of what he thought was his heart.

Earlier, the jury heard the tape of a 999 call, made by Mr Bellante on the night of January 11th, in which Mr Bellante said 'Thomas is dead I killed him. With a knife.'

When asked why he killed Mr O'Gorman, he said it was important - and he spoke at length about freedom and love.

He also mentioned the mafia.

Detective Garda Patrick Traynor gave evidence of arrest, charge and caution at the house - and verified Mr Bellante's statement in which he said a fight had broken out over a game of chess which Mr O'Gorman was losing.

The jury has also heard from State Pathologist Dr Marie Cassidy, who is giving evidence about wounds to the head and chest.