Courts / Galway / Report

'No compassion': Killer Farmer who drove over aunt jailed for six years

Date
2023-06-26
Stage
Sentence
Primary locality
Portumna
County
Galway

Summary

Killer Farmer Michael Scott, who drove over his elderly aunt Christina 'Chrissie' Treacy (76) outside her home in Derryhiney, Portumna, Co Galway on April 27, 2018, has been jailed for six years. The judge, Ms Justice Caroline Biggs, noted that Scott showed 'no compassion' to his aunt in the immediate aftermath of the killing and told 'fundamental, self-preserving lies' about their relationship. Following a trial earlier this year, a jury found Scott not guilty of murder but guilty of manslaughter on the basis of gross negligence. The prosecution case was that Scott deliberately reversed over Ms Treacy following a long-running dispute over land. The judge set Scott's headline sentence at eight years but reduced that to six years having taken into account a number of mitigating factors. Scott had pleaded not guilty to murdering his aunt. The judge also noted that Scott has more recently expressed genuine remorse and reports from the probation services suggest he has insight into the impact the killing has had. He had no previous convictions and the judge described him as a hard-working family man who was responsible in his business affairs. The judge also noted that Scott has indicated that he accepts the jury's verdict.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: 'No compassion': Killer Farmer who drove over aunt jailed for six years. Charges or matters: murdering his aunt Christina 'Chrissie' Treacy (76) outside her home in Derryhiney, Portumna, Co Galway on April 27, 2018. Procedural stage: sentence

When:

Case subjects

Killer Farmer

Convicted Person

Charges: murdering his aunt Christina 'Chrissie' Treacy (76) outside her home in Derryhiney, Portumna, Co Galway on April 27, 2018 (Alleged Or Contested)

Outcome: Killer farmer Michael Scott, who drove over his elderly aunt Chrissie Treacy with an agricultural teleporter, showed "no compassion" to her in the immediate aftermath of the killing and told fundamental, self-preserving lies about their relationship, has been jailed for six years.

Michael Scott

Background Person

Charges: murdering his aunt Christina 'Chrissie' Treacy (76) outside her home in Derryhiney, Portumna, Co Galway on April 27, 2018 (Alleged Or Contested)

Plea: Not guilty

Places mentioned

Secondary Mention

Topics

Stage Sentence Violent Crime

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