Galway Bay fm newsroom - A farming expert has told the trial of a Portumna man accused of murdering his aunt he was concerned for her welfare because of a dispute over land.
Michael Scott, of Gortanumera, has pleaded NOT guilty to the murder of Chrissie Treacy in April 2018, claiming it was a tragic farm accident.
Declan McHugh is an agricultural consultant who, on Chrissie Treacy’s instructions, sent a letter to Michael Scott on the day before her death.
He said he requested that he not declare certain parcels of land that they jointly owned at Derryhiney, Portumna in his Single Farm Payment application.
Her solicitor told the trial earlier that she had initiated legal proceedings to formally partition the land.
Mr McHugh described his dealings with the accused as 'heated' and 'explosive.'
He claimed Mr Scott would tell him what to do with Chrissie’s application every year.
'It was his way or the high way,' he told the court.
Roughly a year before her death, Mr McHugh also said he contacted the local guards to report his concerns for her safety due to the dispute over land with Mr Scott.
The trial continues.
