A Donegal man who killed his parents with an axe during a psychotic episode has been committed to the Central Mental Hospital.

Earlier this month, a jury found Julian Cuddihy not guilty of the double murder by reason of insanity.

Julian Cuddihy killed his parents James and Kathleen with an axe at the family home in Churchtown, Carndonagh, Co Donegal in October 2014.

He was suffering from paranoid schizophrenia at the time and was having regular hallucinations.

When asked why he did it, the 43-year-old said he believed he was carrying out his mother’s wishes. He said he could hear her voice in his head asking him to help them access Heaven.

The jury returned with the special verdict following his short trial earlier this month.

Since then, he has been assessed in the Central Mental Hospital and Ms Justice Margaret Heneghan today ordered his committal there for further inpatient care and treatment.

His detention will be reviewed every six months by the Mental Health Review Board.