Probe to begin after man dies at Glasgow's HMP Barlinnie
The 47-year-old passed away on December 7, 2021, at HMP Barlinnie in Glasgow.
READ MORE: Owners left 'heartbroken' after popular Glasgow restaurant raided by thieves
During the time of his death, Brian was in legal custody and in the care of the state.
Because of this, the COPFS is obligated to investigate such deaths, and the FAI that has been launched is mandatory.
A preliminary hearing will be held on August 28, 2025, at Glasgow Sheriff Court.
The purpose of an FAI is to establish the cause and circumstances of a death, as well as whether any steps could be taken to prevent future deaths in similar circumstances.
READ MORE: Shocking images show building engulfed by flames as fire crews fight blaze
Unlike in criminal proceedings, FAIs are inquisitorial rather than adversarial, meaning they seek to determine the facts rather than assign blame.
Procurator Fiscal Andy Shanks, who leads on deaths investigations for COPFS, said: 'The Lord Advocate considers that the death of Brian Cathcart occurred whilst he was in legal custody and as such a Fatal Accident Inquiry is mandatory.
'The lodging of the First Notice enables FAI proceedings to commence under the direction of the Sheriff.'
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Daily Mail
2 days ago
- Daily Mail
I learned the shattering truth about why so many brilliant men end their lives after my husband fell to his death
As Lauren Antonenko arrived home from work, she found her husband Brian slumped over his laptop yet again. He looked utterly dejected.
Glasgow Times
5 days ago
- Glasgow Times
Family of Katie Allan back bid to remove Crown immunity
Ms Allan, 21, and William Brown, 16, both died by suicide in Polmont in 2018, with a Fatal Accident Inquiry finding both deaths were avoidable. It concluded that a breach of the Health & Safety Act "materially contributed" to their deaths, but the prison system is protected from legal action by Crown immunity meaning Polmont or any other prison couldn't be found criminally responsible. The Scottish Government has said it would scrap that immunity, which has previously been removed from the NHS and the police, but would need permission from Westminster to do so. On Wednesday Labour MP Blair McDougall will present a bill calling for Crown immunity to be removed from prison estates. The bill is being backed by Ms Allan's parents, with Mr McDougall their local MP. Linda Allan told the BBC: "We've always said justice for us would be the removal of Crown immunity. There's no meaning in losing a child but it would be a legacy for us. "It means that in death Katie has done something good. That her death hasn't been meaningless. "It means that perhaps her death might save the lives of other people in the future. "If you look for example at the police service, when it lost Crown immunity, safety standards started to increase in terms of cell custody and police stations. "So you would hope the same would happen across the prison estate."
STV News
5 days ago
- STV News
Inquiry to be held into death of landscape gardener hit by tree trunk
An inquiry is to be held into the death of a landscape gardener who died after being struck by a tree trunk. Andrew Pirie was working on June 25, 2020, when he was hit with a two-metre-long section of the tree. A Fatal Accident Inquiry is to be held into the 53-year-old's death as it occurred while he was in the course of his employment. The investigation will look at the circumstances surrounding Mr Pirie's death as well as what precautions could have been taken and could be implemented to prevent future accidents. Unlike criminal proceedings, FAIs are used to establish facts rather than to apportion blame. A preliminary hearing is set for September 3, 2025, at Aberdeen Sheriff Court. Procurator Fiscal Andy Shanks, who leads on death investigations for COPFS, said: 'The death of Andrew Pirie occurred while in the course of his employment and as such a Fatal Accident Inquiry is mandatory. 'The lodging of the First Notice enables FAI proceedings to commence under the direction of the Sheriff. 'Mr Pirie's family will continue to be kept informed of significant developments as court proceedings progress.' Get all the latest news from around the country Follow STV News Scan the QR code on your mobile device for all the latest news from around the country
