Danny Robins Investigates 'The Burnt Man' On 'Uncanny'

Danny is joined by just one expert this week, psychologist Ciarán O'Keeffe, who provides his expert opinion on Myke's haunting experiences. Ciarán begins by highlighting the unusually graphic detail of Myke's apparition. "We are so used to hearing accounts of apparitions where they are blurry shapes, just kind of a dark shadow. Here we get a level of detail where he's talking about intestines and protruding organs and a horrible description that he gives of this kind of part skull on the spine," Ciarán notes, emphasising the forensic quality of Myke's descriptions.

Ciarán proposes that Myke's experiences could be attributed to sleep-related hallucinations, specifically sleep paralysis. "Whenever we get an experience that's relayed around nighttime, we've got to start to think about sleep related hallucinations. And here we've got what sounds like sleep paralysis," he explains. During sleep paralysis, the brain mixes dream imagery with the real environment, which could account for Myke's vivid visions.

However, Ciarán expresses doubts about this explanation due to the physical interaction with Myke's grandmother. "Where I struggle with this explanation is in what happens next. And that is when Alma Jean, his grandmother, slaps him. And there's a physical interaction there. That almost raises doubt on that sleep paralysis theory. And that makes me think, well, maybe something else is going on," he states, recognising the complexity added by this element.

Danny, also intrigued by the level of detail in Myke's account, questions whether such graphic anatomical knowledge could come from Myke's interest in science fiction and comics. Ciarán acknowledges this, noting, "You've got comics and imagery there that he may well have been exposed to that is in his brain."

Ciarán also considers the rare possibility of simultaneous neurological phenomena, suggesting that Myke might have experienced sleep paralysis while his grandmother experienced somnambulism, or sleepwalking. "The chances are very, very remote," he admits, adding, "these two people are having these odd kind of neurological experiences but also potentially paranormal experiences in a room where there are multiple other people who are not waking up."

Ultimately, Ciarán recognises the profound fear Myke experienced, saying, "It's just absolutely horrific. I defy any sceptic, such as myself, to be sitting in a bedroom and to witness the same thing and not be freaked out."