Bernadette Scully acquitted of daughter's manslaughter

This report is a localnews.ie summary based on public court reporting and records; sources are listed below.

Bernadette Scully was found not guilty of manslaughter, reported on 16 December 2016. The charge concerned the death of her 11-year-old daughter, Emily Barut, after the prosecution alleged she administered toxic amounts of chloral hydrate. The jury reached its verdict after just over four hours of deliberation.

The trial heard that Emily had profound disabilities and was receiving medication after a feeding-tube procedure. Toxicology found the sedative at ten times the therapeutic level, while evidence also indicated she was at risk of a potentially fatal seizure.

Scully denied manslaughter and said she had administered the sedative during episodes involving pain and seizures. The acquittal is the latest supported outcome for the original charge.