The jury in the trial of a 57-year-old farmer accused of murdering his elderly aunt in a dispute about land almost five years ago has been told the focus of the case will be his intention at the time.
76 year old Chrissie Treacy, was found dead on her farm at Derryhiney in Portumna, Co Galway, on 27 April 2018.
The prosecution claims her nephew, Michael Scott, with an address at Gortrae, Portumna, deliberately and callously drove over her with a JCB teleporter because of a row over the land they co-owned.
Mr Scott has pleaded not guilty and the defence case is that Ms Treacy's death was an accident.
Ms Justice Caroline Biggs told the jurors the focus of the case will be Mr Scott’s intention at the time She said the fact that he killed Ms Treacy was not going to be in dispute.
But she said to convict him of murder they would have to be satisfied beyond reasonable doubt that at the time of the killing he intended to kill or cause serious injury.
The trial is expected to last two months and jury of 15 has been sworn in to hear it.
