Courts / Offaly / Report
Gardai not "blinkered" about cause of death, inspector tells trial of GP accused of killing disabled daughter
Summary
In the trial of 58‑year‑old GP Bernadette Scully, the inspector, Ger Glavin, confirmed that the Gardaí had not been "blinkered" to the possibility that the excessive administration of chloral hydrate was the sole cause of death of her 11‑year‑old daughter, Emily Barut. Scully, charged with unlawful killing, had admitted giving her daughter too much sedative after a procedure to replace a tube into her stomach. The inspector noted that investigators considered other potential causes, including Emily's severe epilepsy, microcephaly, cerebral palsy and lung inflammation, but that the post‑mortem revealed 220 micrograms of the drug's metabolite, trichloroethanol, in her bloodstream. The trial also heard from a neuropathologist who found brain damage consistent with a recent event. The prosecution has closed its case, and the trial continues before Mr Justice Patrick McCarthy and a jury. The unnamed accused pleaded not guilty.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Gardai not "blinkered" about cause of death, inspector tells trial of GP accused of killing disabled daughter. Charges or matters: unlawfully killing 11-year-old Emily Barut, who was profoundly disabled, at their home at Emvale, Bachelor's Walk, Tullamore. Procedural stage: trial
When:
- Saturday September 15th, 2012 Hearing Or Sentence
- April 2014 Incident
- 2016-12-06 Publication
Why: Ms Scully had explained that Emily had been in a lot of pain for the last two weeks of her life, after having a procedure to replace the tube into her stomach through which she received fluids and medication. CNI source report
Case subjects
Accused
Charges: unlawfully killing 11-year-old Emily Barut, who was profoundly disabled, at their home at Emvale, Bachelor's Walk, Tullamore (Alleged Or Contested)
Plea: Not guilty
Places mentioned
- Central Criminal Court
Topics
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