A PROBE is to be launched into the death of a mum amid a Covid-19 outbreak at a Greenock supermarket.
A fatal accident inquiry (FAI) will be held into the passing of Ann Carrigan Weir, who died at home on January 6, 2021, aged 55.
Ann, who worked at the Tesco Extra store in the town, passed away amid concerns about a coronavirus upsurge in the shop.
At the time of Ann’s death, a number of employees in the Tesco stores in Greenock and Port Glasgow were reportedly self-isolating.
Another member of staff at the Greenock Extra store also tragically passed away.
Ann’s death was investigated by the Covid Deaths Investigation Team within the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service (COPFS).
The FAI is expected to focus on the standard of care provided by NHS 24 at the time.
A preliminary hearing will take place at Greenock Sheriff Court on November 5.
Procurator fiscal Andy Shanks, who leads on fatalities investigations for COPFS, said: “The Lord Advocate considers that the death of Ann Weir occurred in circumstances giving rise to serious public concern and as such a discretionary fatal accident inquiry should be held.
“An FAI will allow a full public airing of the evidence of the procurator fiscal’s wider investigations with interested parties.
“The evidence will be tested in a public setting and be the subject of an independent judicial determination.”
The purpose of a fatal accident inquiry includes determining the cause of death; the circumstances in which the death occurred; and establishing what reasonable precautions could have been taken, and could be implemented in the future, which might realistically prevent other deaths in similar circumstances.
Unlike criminal proceedings, FAIs are inquisitorial in nature, and are used to establish facts rather than to apportion blame.
