Courts / Offaly / Report

GP denies writing suicide note before death of disabled child

Summary

Bernadette Scully, a 58‑year‑old GP from Offaly, is on trial for the manslaughter of her 11‑year‑old profoundly disabled daughter, Emily Barut, who died on 15 September 2012 after receiving an excessive dose of chloral hydrate. Scully denies writing a suicide note before Emily's death, saying she wrote it only after the child passed. She testified that she had been off work for six months but had returned to work the Friday before Emily's death. Scully described the night of the death, stating she gave Emily a 10‑ml dose of chloral hydrate, then later an additional 5‑ml dose, and that Emily's seizures continued. She claimed she was overwhelmed and could not help her daughter, and that she had attempted suicide twice after Emily's death. The trial is being heard at the Central Criminal Court, with Tara Burns SC cross‑examining her.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: GP denies writing suicide note before death of disabled child. 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
• 2016-12-07 Publication

Why: She explained that she had given her a 10 ml syringeful, holding one up in the witness box. CNI source report

Case subjects

Places mentioned

Topics

Stage Trial Violent Crime

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Read the original CNI report