Dublin, Co. Galway — Farmer Michael Scott (61), of Gortanumera, Portumna, Co Galway, has successfully appealed the severity of his six-year sentence for the manslaughter of his elderly aunt, Christina ‘Chrissie’ Treacy (76). The Court of Appeal today reduced his sentence by 18 months, setting the new term at four years and six months, backdated to June 12, 2023.
Scott was found guilty of the gross negligence manslaughter of Ms. Treacy, who died after he drove over her in an agricultural teleporter outside her home in Derryhiney, Portumna, on April 27, 2018. The initial charge was murder.
The Appeal Judgment
Mr Justice Brian O’Moore, delivering the judgment, found that the original trial judge, Ms Justice Caroline Biggs, erred in assessing the appropriate “headline sentence” at eight years. Mr Justice O’Moore said Scott’s negligent driving—failing to keep a proper lookout while reversing, with his view obstructed by dirt and a missing mirror—warranted a headline sentence of six years.
Aggravating factors included the negligent driving and Scott’s previous “unacceptable to thuggish” behaviour towards his aunt, stemming from a long-running dispute over jointly owned land.
However, the sentence was reduced to four years and six months after considering mitigating factors: Scott’s genuine remorse, lack of previous convictions, long work history, status as a family man, and low risk of reoffending.
Background to the Case
The trial heard of a deteriorating and long-running land dispute between Scott and his aunt. Witnesses testified to Scott’s anger regarding the issue, with one recalling a warning three months prior that “this will end badly.” Ms. Treacy had been taking legal steps to split the jointly owned land shortly before her death. Scott claimed he felt a “thump” while reversing the teleporter and only saw his aunt on the ground when he got out of the cabin, describing it as a tragic accident.
Following the judgment, Scott became tearful as he embraced family members before being taken away to continue serving his reduced sentence.
