Courts / Galway / Report

Judge tells farm murder trial jury that 'gross negligence' manslaughter verdict is open to them

Date
2023-03-22

Stage
Trial

Primary locality
Portumna

County
Galway

Summary

In the trial of Michael Scott, a 58‑year‑old from Gortanumera, Portumna, the jury is instructed that they may return a manslaughter verdict if they find he was grossly negligent in reversing his agricultural teleporter over his 76‑year‑old aunt, Ms Treacy, on 27 April 2018. The judge explained that to convict of murder the jury must be satisfied beyond reasonable doubt that Scott intended to kill or seriously injure Ms Treacy. If that standard is not met, the jury may consider manslaughter by gross negligence, which does not require proof of intent. The judge also clarified that a single lie by Scott is not automatically evidence of guilt; it must be deliberate and intended to conceal guilt. He further explained that evidence of prior misconduct, such as failing to remove rubbish or turning off her heating, is not proof of a propensity to kill but provides context for the relationship. Michael Scott pleaded not guilty.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Judge tells farm murder trial jury that 'gross negligence' manslaughter verdict is open to them. 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 Hearing Or Sentence
2023-03-22 Publication

Why: For the jury to rely on a lie as evidence of guilt, they must first be satisfied that the lie was deliberate and was not told for any innocent purpose, "but because he knew the truth would implicate him," she said. CNI source report