Michael Scott has manslaughter sentence cut on appeal

This report is a localnews.ie summary based on public court reporting and records; sources are listed below.

Michael Scott’s sentence for manslaughter by gross negligence was reduced to four years and six months by the Court of Appeal on 3 December 2025. The offence occurred outside his aunt’s home in Derryhiney, Portumna, Co Galway.

Mr Justice Brian O’Moore set a six-year headline sentence, then reduced it after considering Scott’s remorse, lack of previous convictions, work history, family circumstances and low risk of reoffending. The new term was backdated to 12 June 2023.

The appeal judge said the earlier eight-year headline sentence was an error. He cited Scott’s obstructed view through the teleporter’s rear window, missing mirror and failure to keep a proper lookout while reversing.

A jury had found Scott not guilty of murder but guilty of manslaughter by gross negligence. The appeal concerned the severity of his six-year prison sentence imposed in June 2023.