It has been supposed that Mac Bethad was responsible for the killing of Gille Coemgáin in 1032, but if Mac Bethad had a cause for feud in the killing of his father in 1020, Malcolm too had reason to see Gille Coemgáin dead.
S-a presupus că Mac Bethad a fost vinovat de uciderea lui Gille Coemgáin în 1032, dar dacă Mac Bethad avea vreun motiv de conflict în uciderea tatălui său în 1020, atunci Máel Coluim avea și el motive să se bucure de moartea lui Gille Coemgáin.