Doctor ‘gave her daughter 100% care’
Offaly GP Bernadette Scully, aged 58, is charged with unlawfully killing her 11-year-old daughter Emily Barut, who was profoundly disabled, at their home at Emvale, Bachelor’s Walk, Tullamore, Co Offaly.
It is alleged that Ms Scully killed Emily by an act of gross negligence involving the administration of an excessive quantity of the sedative chloral hydrate on September 15, 2012.
She has pleaded not guilty and is on trial at the Central Criminal Court.
Noreen Roche, a nurse with 40 years’ experience who works as a consultant in High Court medical cases, told Ken Fogarty, defending, that she was asked to assess the level and cost of ongoing care for Emily in 2009, when the girl was aged eight.
The extensive report detailed Emily’s day-to-day life including her exercise regime, medication, difficulties with feeding, sleeping and going to the toilet.
She said that the girl was dependent on her mother for all aspects of her life and was “severely and profoundly disabled”.
She said the level of care Emily received was “100% plus”, adding: “She was fully cared for in an exemplary manner.”
She said that Emily’s ongoing survival was down to the high level of care she received, and added that other children with similar illnesses tended to suffer ongoing chest infections and bouts of pneumonia.
These had not been a problem for Emily and she put this down to the daily exercise regime and feeding system implemented by Ms Scully.
In a report written in 2009, she noted that Ms Scully was 51 years old and, besides caring for Emily, was working from 2.30pm to 7.30pm at her doctor’s practice.
She had no help with administration or paper work.
She was suffering from back problems but did not have time to see a physiotherapist, go walking, swimming, or do yoga.
Ms Roche added: “She is 51 and finds it difficult to keep going at this pace.”
She also noted that, due to budget cutbacks, assistance from the Centre for Independent Living had been withdrawn.
Her report stated that her home was not suitable for Emily’s needs and a specially-designed home would be needed.
The trial has heard that on the night Emily died she suffered a fit that her mother said was not normal for her.
Ms Roche said she had noted in previous cases with girls suffering from profound disabilities that, as they approach puberty, their fits become more severe.
She said that the unusual fit would tie in with State pathologist Marie Cassidy’s note that Emily showed early signs of entering puberty.
“It is a big consideration to be taken into account,” she said.
The defence has now finished giving evidence and closing statements will begin in front of Justice Patrick McCarthy and a jury of seven women and five men on Tuesday.
