THE REMAINS of an 11-year-old girl who died at her family home in Co Offaly on Saturday were released to her family yesterday.
The girl’s mother, Tullamore GP Bernadette Scully (55), was still in intensive care yesterday evening when the remains of her severely disabled daughter, Emily, were released.
It is understood Dr Scully’s condition is improving and she may be able to speak to gardaí in coming days.
Gardaí are awaiting the results of toxicology reports following an inconclusive postmortem on Emily’s body on Sunday.
Investigating gardaí are not looking to speak to anyone else in relation to the death at this stage. They are expected to focus on toxicology results and information from Dr Scully in order to establish the circumstances surrounding the tragedy.
The investigation was launched when Ms Scully’s partner, Andrius Kozlovskis, discovered the mother and daughter in an unconscious state at their home in Bachelor’s Walk in Tullamore at about 9pm on Saturday.
He is believed to have alerted authorities, and the mother and daughter were taken by ambulance to the Midland Regional Hospital in Tullamore, where Emily was pronounced dead and Dr Scully remained in intensive care.
Emily, an only child who was born with severe intellectual and physical disabilities, was wheelchair-bound and required round-the-clock care.
Her father, Turkish national Haluk Barut, used to run the Anatolia restaurant on Harbour Street in Tullamore. He has since separated from Dr Scully and now works in a restaurant in Edenderry, Co Offaly.
Dr Scully, who runs a practice at the Medical Centre in Clonminch, is a popular GP who has built up a large and loyal clientele. In 2010 she received more medical card payments than any other GP in Co Offaly. At the time the payments were ranked 23rd highest in the State.
However, in recent months Emily’s condition is understood to have deteriorated and Dr Scully stepped back from the business.
A source close to the family said Dr Scully had taken time off from her practice in order to be with Emily as the girl’s condition worsened.
Few in Tullamore are prepared to speak publicly about the tragedy.
A friend of Dr Scully’s who didn’t want to be named said: “Bernie is one of the most genuine, down-to-earth, caring people you could ever meet. She is a beautiful person in every way. She always spoke lovingly about her daughter.
“The care provided to Emily was second to none. Her minders showed so much genuine affection towards her. They would constantly lavish attention and affection on her,” the friend said.
“She always kept her sense of humour and she would always take a genuine interest in other people’s well-being and families,” added the friend.
Sinn Féin Cllr Brendan Killeavey is a patient of Dr Scully’s. “She is an excellent doctor, an absolutely brilliant doctor and a very outgoing person who really goes out of her way to help people,” he said.
“People were really shocked to learn of this tragedy. The family are really well known and respected in this area. It’s terrible for little Emily,” he added.
Yesterday’s sitting of Offaly County Council was adjourned for five minutes as a mark of respect to Emily’s family and the families of two council officials who also suffered recent bereavements.
Independent Cllr Johnny Butterfield said he wanted to “extend our sympathies to the family of the little girl who died tragically yesterday”.