Courts / Galway / Report

Farmer who ran over vulnerable aunt (76) during land dispute is cleared of murder by jury

Summary

Michael Scott, 58, of Gortanumera, Portumna, was found guilty of manslaughter but cleared of murder after a jury heard that he ran over his 76‑year‑old aunt, Chrissie Treacy, while reversing an agricultural teleporter across a yard outside her home in Derryhiney, Portumna, on 27 April 2018. The jury, after nearly 15 hours, concluded that Scott's death of his aunt was caused by gross negligence rather than intent to kill. The prosecution had argued that Scott deliberately reversed over Treacy amid a long‑running land dispute, but his lawyers maintained it was a tragic accident. The trial detailed that Scott had been reversing the machine when he felt a "thump," thought he might have struck a trailer, and only later discovered Treacy lying on the ground. Michael Scott pleaded not guilty.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Farmer who ran over vulnerable aunt (76) during land dispute is cleared of murder by jury. Charges or matters: murdering his aunt Christina 'Chrissie' Treacy outside her home in Derryhiney, Portumna, Co Galway on April 27, 2018. Procedural stage: sentence

When:

• June 12 Other
• April 27, 2018 Other
• Christmas 2017 Other
• 2023-03-30 Publication

Case subjects

Places mentioned

Topics

Stage Sentence Violent Crime

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Read the original CNI report