Courts / Galway / Report

Farm murder accused had 'almost childlike' obsession with land, witness tells trial

Summary

Michael Scott, 58, of Gortanumera, Portumna, pleaded not guilty to the murder of his 76‑year‑old aunt Chrissie Treacy, who was run over by his vehicle outside her home in Derryhiney on 27 April 2018. The Central Criminal Court heard that a witness, Robin Deasy, described Scott as having an "almost childlike" obsession with land and cattle, and that he was motivated only by land. Deasy recalled that Scott had told him he could not "handle that woman at all" and that he had been upset about the land dispute. The prosecution alleged that Scott deliberately ran over his aunt following a long‑running dispute over land. Scott's lawyers said the death was a tragic accident. The trial is before Ms Justice Caroline Biggs with a jury of seven men and eight women. The case remains at the trial stage.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Farm murder accused had 'almost childlike' obsession with land, witness tells trial. Charges or matters: murdering Ms Treacy outside her home in Derryhiney, Portumna, Co Galway on April 27, 2018. Procedural stage: trial

When:

• April 27, 2018 Other
• February 22, 2017 Other
• February 13, 2018 Other
• March 2018 Other
• March 30 Hearing Or Sentence
• June 2016 Other
• April 2017 Hearing Or Sentence
• January 2018 Hearing Or Sentence
• Christmas 2017 Other
• 2023-02-23 Publication

Why: Sgt Gerard Cleary told the trial that about six weeks before Ms Treacy died, the accused came to Portumna Garda Station and became upset while telling him that he would have to "give up the cows" because Ms Treacy was being unreasonable. CNI source report

Case subjects

Places mentioned

Topics

Stage Trial Violent Crime

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Read the original CNI report