Inquiry into death of two men in Police Scotland custody at Clydebank and Govan to be held

A fatal accident inquiry (FAI) is to be held into the deaths of two men in Police Scotland custody.

Declan Gallacher, 24, died at Clydebank police office on December 23, 2018, and David Berry passed away while at Govan police station.

On Monday, The Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service (COPFS) announced that a first notice of a Fatal Accident Inquiry has been launched into the deaths.

A preliminary hearing will be held on May 12 at Glasgow Sheriff Court.

A fundraiser was launched following the death of Mr Gallacher, which raised more than £3,000 towards funeral costs.

A message on the fundraising page read: “Declan sadly passed away in a custody cell in a police station. He leaves behind a devastated family that needs their community’s help in this time of need.

“Declan was a huge part in anyone’s life who got to meet him.

“We as a family can’t thank people enough for their support during the saddest of times, thank you from the bottom of our hearts.”

Procurator fiscal Katrina Parkes, who is head of COPFS’s Scottish Fatalities Investigation Unit, said:  “The Lord Advocate considers that the deaths of Declan Gallacher and David Berry occurred while in 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. 

“An FAI will allow a full public airing of all the evidence at which families and other interested parties will be represented. The evidence will be tested in a public setting and be the subject of judicial determination.

“The families and their legal representatives will continue to be kept informed of significant developments as court proceedings progress.” 