Bernadette Scully says it is only now, after the ‘living hell’ of her court case, that she will get the opportunity to grieve for her daughter Emily.
The 58-year-old, from County Offaly, released a statement via her solicitor, after being cleared of 11-year-old Emily’s manslaughter.
A jury of 12 people returned a unanimous ‘not guilty’ verdict, four years after Bernadette administered that fatal dose of chloral hydrate to her daughter, who had a number of severe disabilities.
Statement on behalf of Bernadette Scully following not guilty verdict in manslaughter trial https://t.co/eCLgUuix9z pic.twitter.com/Ssb2tjzGX2
— RTÉ News (@rtenews) December 16, 2016
Speaking outside the Central Criminal Court on behalf of Ms Scully, solicitor Patricia Cronin said: “As I said in my evidence, Emily was my little bird with a broken wing whom I loved, care for and protected.”
She added: “Our struggle is mirrored in the lives of so many people in similar situations in Ireland. Like me, very many parents and carers of children who are disabled, struggle on a daily basis to get access to services and support systems which are very often simply not there.
"I respect the need to investigate Emily's death but the past four years have been a living hell for me and my family. I have not only lost my beloved Emily but was unable to attend her funeral.”
In a bittersweet reflection, Ms Scully admitted: "I haven't yet had the opportunity to properly grieve for her or celebrate her precious life.”
