The trial of a GP accused of killing her daughter has heard the amount of a sedative found in her blood was ten times more than the therapeutic level.
Bernadette Scully has pleaded NOT guilty to the manslaughter of Emily Barut at their home at Emvale, BachelorÂ’s Walk in Tullamore, Co. Offaly in 2012.
Our Courts Correspondent Frank Greaney reports:
Professor Hans Maurer, a German toxicologist received various samples from the State laboratory in Ireland a few months after Emily'Â’s death. He said they were extracted and analysed.
In her blood, they found 220 milligrams per litre of the sedative Chloral hydrate, he said.
The therapeutic level of the drug is between 5 and 20.
Professor Maurer said traces of Chloral hydrate were also found in a sample of her stomach contents.
Emily was born with severe physical and learning disabilities and the court heard yesterday that her mother took great care of her during her 11 years.
She underwent surgery a few weeks before she died on September 15th 2012, and was in a lot of pain and struggling to sleep. Ms. Scully was exhausted as a result.
When her partner checked on Emily on the evening in question, he told Gardaí she was cold and he called for an ambulance. Bernadette was unconscious after taking an overdose herself.
When she spoke to Gardaí a few days later, she admitted giving her too much of the sedative.
It is the prosecution'’s case that she killed her by an act of gross negligence,– that she had a duty of care to her as both her mother and doctor, and was in breach of that duty.
Her sister Teresa also gave evidence today. She described Bernadette as a pillar of strength. She said she supported their whole family through some difficult times and was always there when she needed her.
She said all she ever wanted was a baby of her own. She said she never considered shipping Emily away when her disabilities became apparent.
Her instincts were to love and care for her baby. She said she decided she wasn'Â’t going to feel sorry for herself and gave all her love and compassion to the baby.
