Pathologist says Scarlett Faulkner never to wake from coma

State pathologist Dr Margaret Bolster told the Cork court that Scarlett Faulkner died from severe traumatic brain injury caused by multiple blows with a blunt weapon.

Dr Bolster explained that Ms Faulkner suffered extensive axonal injury, with the brain moving within the skull, tearing nerve fibres and causing bruising. She said the injuries were such that the victim was “never going to come out of her coma”.

During the autopsy the pathologist observed multiple lacerations and fractures to the scalp, bleeding beneath the skull and fractures to facial bones, including the lower jaw. She noted that the force required to produce these injuries was consistent with repeated strikes using an iron bar, which gardaí displayed to the jury.

Ms Faulkner was treated at Cork University Hospital for about three weeks before life support was withdrawn. The pathologist concluded that the cause of death was traumatic brain injury from blunt force trauma, with no other contributing factors.

The trial involves a 41‑year‑old woman and a 17‑year‑old girl accused of murder. The older accused has pleaded not guilty to murder, while the teenager has pleaded not guilty to murder but guilty to manslaughter. Both also face additional charges relating to alleged burglaries and assault in County Tipperary and Limerick.

Source: Irish Examiner. Photo: Magda Ehlers / Pexels.