Courts / Galway / Report

Witness urged pensioner to move into retirement home 'for own safety', farm murder trial hears

Summary

During the Central Criminal Court hearing, witness Ms Regina Donohue testified that she had urged 76‑year‑old Chrissie Treacy to move into a retirement home in Portumna for her safety, a suggestion she said Treacy declined. Donohue described a series of deteriorating conditions on Treacy's farm, including damaged fencing, a switched‑off oil heater, and the disappearance of her dog Bradley. She also recounted an incident where Michael Scott, Treacy's nephew, entered her home and demanded her whereabouts after she had left to celebrate her birthday. Donohue further alleged that a letter from an agricultural consultant had informed Scott that Treacy was applying for a single farm payment on land she owned but had previously leased to him, a development that upset him. The prosecution maintains that Scott deliberately ran over Treacy with a teleporter on 27 April 2018, an act he denies, claiming the death was a tragic accident. Michael Scott pleaded not guilty.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Witness urged pensioner to move into retirement home 'for own safety', farm murder trial hears. Charges or matters: her murder on April 27, 2018 outside her home in Derryhiney, Portumna. Procedural stage: trial

When:

• April 27, 2018 Other
• Christmas Other
• 2023-02-15 Publication

Case subjects

Places mentioned

Topics

Stage Trial Violent Crime

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• Farmer who subjected aunt to 'mental torture' before manslaughter spends first night in prison
• Farmer who ran over vulnerable aunt (76) during land dispute is cleared of murder by jury

Read the original CNI report