Courts / Offaly / Report
Suicide note put to GP accused of killing disabled daughter
Summary
The 58‑year‑old GP, Bernadette Scully, is on trial for the manslaughter of her 11‑year‑old profoundly disabled daughter, Emily Barut, who died after an excessive dose of chloral hydrate on 15 September 2012. Scully denies that a suicide note she wrote after Emily's death acknowledges her responsibility for the death, saying she had lost her reason for living. She claims she gave the drug in an attempt to stop a seizure, citing medical literature that documents its use in children with epilepsy. During cross‑examination, she explained that she had administered the drug while the child was in a fit and that she had not normally given two doses at once. She also described her emotional state after Emily's passing, stating she had tried to take her own life twice and that she could not bear the pain of watching Emily suffer. The trial is proceeding before Mr Justice Patrick McCarthy and a jury of twelve. Bernadette Scully pleaded not guilty.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Suicide note put to 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
- 2016-12-08 Publication
Why: Credit: Collins) A doctor on trial, charged with the manslaughter of her profoundly disabled daughter by giving her too much sedative, has denied that a suicide note she wrote afterwards was acknowledgment that she caused the girl's death, saying: 'I had lost my reason for living'. 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
Drugs Stage Trial Violent Crime
Related court reports
- 'I'm going to kill you' - Carjacker held knife to elderly woman's throat
- Pharmacist dismissed within weeks of disclosing pregnancy wins €50k
- Ashling Murderer loses bid to have life sentence backdated
- Balaclava attacker claims car search breached his rights
- Scope of Jozef Puska's conviction appeal may change, lawyers tell court
- Not an 'iota' of support for shooting victim's recognition evidence, defence tell jury
If a fact, identity, locality or legal outcome needs review, email the newsroom with this report's details prefilled.
Email a correction request