Clutha families struggling to pay legal bills for Fatal Accident Inquiry
A fatal accident inquiry in to their deaths will take place at Hampden Park and will start on April 8.
Some of the families who will be represented at the inquiry into the Clutha helicopter tragedy are hoping charity will help fund them.
A hearing at Glasgow Sheriff Court before Sheriff Principal Craig Turnbull heard that legal aid has been granted for the families of Samuel McGhee, Mark O’Prey and Gary Arthur but they have to contribute.
The fiancée of pilot David Traill, Dr Lucy Thomas, is privately funding her representation at the inquiry but the court heard yesterday that the funding will run out.
The helicopter crew who were killed in the crash on November 29, 2013, were pilot David Traill, PC Tony Collins and PC Kirsty Nelis.
Seven customers in the Clutha pub also died. They were John McGarrigle, Mark O'Prey, Gary Arthur, Colin Gibson, Robert Jenkins, Samuel McGhee and Joe Cusker.
A fatal accident inquiry in to their deaths will take place at Hampden Park and will start on April 8.
James Diver, the son of Mr McGee, Ian O’Prey, the father of Mr O’Prey and Gordon Arthur, Mr Arthur’s dad have been granted legal aid but have to make a contribution.
Counsel for Mr Diver, Louise Arrol said that it is hopeful that a charitable organisation will pay the first instalment and that preparation for the inquiry is underway.
She added that steps are being taken to raise money to pay the balance.
The legal aid board suspended the requirement for payment until the end of January to see if there will be any other funding.
It was said on behalf of Dr Thomas that she is funding her representation privately but "that will run out".
The inquiry heard her legal team have made enquiries with the legal aid board who say she cannot apply for funding "until private funding has run out".
Sheriff Principal Turnbull noted that there had been a suggestion that Dr Thomas might not be eligible for legal aid.
The inquiry was told her salary is "significant" but that the legal aid board can use their discretion.
The hearing was continued until the preliminary hearing next month