Courts / Offaly / Report

GP gave disabled daughter toxic level of sedative, manslaughter trial told

Date
2016-11-29

Stage
Trial

Primary locality
Tullamore

County
Offaly

Summary

In a manslaughter trial, 58‑year‑old Bernadette Scully was charged with unlawfully killing her 11‑year‑old daughter, Emily Barut, by gross negligence. The prosecution alleged that Scully, who acted as Emily's GP, administered an excessive dose of chloral hydrate on 15 September 2012. Emily, who had microcephaly, epilepsy and other severe disabilities, had recently undergone a surgical procedure and was in pain. Scully's partner was sent to the pharmacy for sedatives, but Emily was not seen until later that day. Emily was found dead in hospital with a blood level of 200 micrograms per milliliter of chloral hydrate, far above the therapeutic range. The post‑mortem confirmed chloral hydrate intoxication as the cause of death, with contributory factors including her disabilities and a hypoxic episode. Scully pleaded not guilty and the case was heard by a jury in the Central Criminal Court.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: GP gave disabled daughter toxic level of sedative, manslaughter trial told. Charges or matters: unlawfully killing Emily Barut at their home at Emvale, Bachelor's Walk, Tullamore. Procedural stage: trial

When:

September 15th, 2012 Hearing Or Sentence
September 15th Other
2016-11-29 Publication

Why: She explained that Emily was born with profound physical and learning disabilities, including microcephaly and epilepsy, and that her mother had acted as her GP throughout her life. CNI source report