Courts / Galway / Report

Farm murder accused had normal peripheral vision, trial hears

Summary

Michael Scott, 58, of Gortanumera, Portumna, pleaded not guilty to the murder of his aunt, Ms. Treacy, outside her home on 27 April 2018. The trial heard that Scott had perfect vision in his left eye but a severely weakened right eye, which his brain had largely ignored, a fact established by optometrist Trina Staunton. Staunton explained that a single good eye can suffice for a driving licence and that the brain's neglect of the weaker eye limits peripheral vision when reversing. Scott allegedly deliberately ran over Ms. Treacy while reversing an agricultural tractor, an act the prosecution claims stemmed from a long‑running land dispute. Witnesses described prior damage to electric fences, a strained rental relationship, and a history of conflict over land ownership between Scott and Ms. Treacy. The case is before Ms Justice Caroline Biggs with a jury of fifteen.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Farm murder accused had normal peripheral vision, trial hears. Charges or matters: murdering Ms Treacy outside her home in Derryhiney, Portumna, Co Galway on April 27, 2018. Procedural stage: trial

When:

• June 28 Hearing Or Sentence
• April 27, 2018 Other
• April 23 Other
• February 2018 Other
• Christmas 2017 Other
• 2023-02-24 Publication

Case subjects

Places mentioned

Topics

Stage Trial Violent Crime

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Read the original CNI report