Courts / Offaly / Report

Partner of GP accused of killing disabled daughter gives evidence at trial

Summary

The partner of GP Bernadette Scully, charged with the manslaughter of her 11‑year‑old profoundly disabled daughter Emily Barut, gave evidence at the Central Criminal Court. He described the horror of finding Emily cold in bed and his inability to wake Scully. He said there was never any suggestion of suicide or that their lives would be better without Emily. He recounted living with Scully and caring for Emily, noting the child's pain and the mother's severe pressure and burnout in the months before the death. He detailed the events of the Saturday night of 15 September 2012, including Scully's attempts to administer medicine, her exhaustion, and his attempts to keep watch over both. He also described the bag of stones he later gave to the Gardaí. The trial continues before Mr Justice Patrick McCarthy and a jury. Bernadette Scully pleaded not guilty.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Partner of GP accused of killing disabled daughter gives evidence at trial. Charges or matters: unlawfully killing 11-year-old Emily Barut at their home at Emvale, Bachelor's Walk, Tullamore. Procedural stage: trial

When:

• Saturday September 15th, 2012 Other
• 2016-11-30 Publication

Why: He explained that Ms Scully had also been under severe pressure in the six months before her daughter's death. CNI source report

Case subjects

Places mentioned

Topics

Stage Trial Violent Crime

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Read the original CNI report