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Glasgow bin lorry crash: family disagree with decision not to prosecute any party Glasgow bin lorry crash: family disagree with decision not to prosecute any party
(34 minutes later)
The family of three of the victims of the Glasgow bin lorry crash “profoundly disagree” with the decision not to prosecute any party over the deaths, an inquiry has heard.The family of three of the victims of the Glasgow bin lorry crash “profoundly disagree” with the decision not to prosecute any party over the deaths, an inquiry has heard.
Relatives of Erin McQuade and her grandparents, Jack and Lorraine Sweeney, expressed great concern over how the tragedy was investigated. Relatives of Erin McQuade and her grandparents, Jack and Lorraine Sweeney, expressed great concern over how the crash was investigated.
Mark Stewart QC raised the issue in his final submission to the fatal accident inquiry (FAI) into the crash which claimed six lives on December 22 last year. Stewart said the family did not agree that it should have been treated as a road traffic accident and believes there should have been more involvement from the Health and Safety Executive. Mark Stewart QC raised the issue in his final submission to the fatal accident inquiry (FAI) into the crash which claimed six lives on 22 December last year. Stewart said the family did not agree that it should have been treated as a road traffic accident and believes there should have been more involvement from the Health and Safety Executive.
Concerns were also raised over the fact that driver Harry Clarke was never interviewed by police after the crash. Stewart said the decision reached by the Crown Office in February not to prosecute the driver or Glasgow city council was “one that the family profoundly disagrees with”.Concerns were also raised over the fact that driver Harry Clarke was never interviewed by police after the crash. Stewart said the decision reached by the Crown Office in February not to prosecute the driver or Glasgow city council was “one that the family profoundly disagrees with”.
He added: “It is submitted that the investigation was conducted in remarkable haste.”He added: “It is submitted that the investigation was conducted in remarkable haste.”
The Crown Office said in February that no charges would be brought against Clarke and the relevant information had been taken into account regarding a decision not to prosecute.The Crown Office said in February that no charges would be brought against Clarke and the relevant information had been taken into account regarding a decision not to prosecute.
The family representative said relatives had found it “difficult to prepare for” the FAI and the speed with which it has been held has “placed them under heightened pressure”. The family representative said relatives had found it “difficult to prepare for” the FAI and the speed with which it had been held had “placed them under heightened pressure”.
The inquiry heard that McQuade, 18, and her grandparents had been Christmas shopping and out for lunch on the day of the crash. They were described as a close family and the deaths had left relatives devastated. The inquiry heard that McQuade, 18, and her grandparents had been Christmas shopping on the day of the crash. They were described as a close family and the deaths had left relatives devastated.
McQuade was a first-year student at the University of Glasgow where she was studying English literature. She was also said to be a talented artist and had previously volunteered to help sick people visit Lourdes.McQuade was a first-year student at the University of Glasgow where she was studying English literature. She was also said to be a talented artist and had previously volunteered to help sick people visit Lourdes.
Jack Sweeney, 68, had previously worked in Canada and was said to have enjoyed gardening, horse racing and family holidays. His wife, Lorraine, 69, had worked in a coffee shop and enjoyed shopping trips. Stewart told the inquiry that they cared for their grandchildren, including McQuade’s three young siblings, and were close to their two daughters and their husbands. Jack Sweeney, 68, had previously worked in Canada and was said to have enjoyed gardening, horseracing and family holidays. His wife, Lorraine, 69, had worked in a coffee shop and enjoyed shopping trips. Stewart told the inquiry that they cared for their grandchildren, including McQuade’s three young siblings, and were close to their two daughters and their husbands.
At the end of his submission, Stewart said: “it is submitted that the families who have attended court have done so with remarkable strength of character, grace and dignity.”At the end of his submission, Stewart said: “it is submitted that the families who have attended court have done so with remarkable strength of character, grace and dignity.”
Sheriff John Beckett said: “I would agree with that.”Sheriff John Beckett said: “I would agree with that.”
McQuade and her grandparents, from Dumbarton, West Dunbartonshire; Stephenie Tait, 29, and Jacqueline Morton, 51, both from Glasgow; and Gillian Ewing, 52, from Edinburgh, were killed as the lorry driven by Clarke veered out of control during a routine rubbish collection.McQuade and her grandparents, from Dumbarton, West Dunbartonshire; Stephenie Tait, 29, and Jacqueline Morton, 51, both from Glasgow; and Gillian Ewing, 52, from Edinburgh, were killed as the lorry driven by Clarke veered out of control during a routine rubbish collection.