FAI into death of schoolboy in gravestone tragedy

8 year old Ciaran Williamson died after a headstone toppled on him in a cemetery in Glasgow last May

Published 23rd Feb 2016

No criminal proceedings will be brought over the death of an eight-year-old boy hit by a falling gravestone in a Glasgow cemetery.

Ciaran Williamson was seriously injured in Craigton cemetery in the Cardonald area of the city on May 26 last year.

He was taken to Yorkhill children's hospital but later died.

Two other boys, both aged 10 at the time, were injured in the incident and taken to hospital for treatment.

An investigation was launched into the death and the Crown Office has now concluded no criminal charges will be brought as a result.

A fatal accident inquiry (FAI) will be held in due course to look into the circumstances surrounding the boy's death.

In a statement, prosecutors said: The Crown Office has fully investigated the death of eight-year-old Ciaran Williamson following an incident at Craigton cemetery in Glasgow on May 26 2015.

"After giving the case careful consideration, Crown Counsel have concluded that there will be no criminal proceedings brought as a result of the death.

"Crown Counsel have decided that it is in the public interest to hold a fatal accident inquiry to examine the full circumstances surrounding this tragic death to help avoid such an accident happening again in the future.

"The fatal accident inquiry will have an opportunity to consider practices in cemeteries to ensure public safety.''

At the time, Ciaran's family described his death as a "tragic accident''.

Floral tributes were left at the entrance to the cemetery and many tributes were paid to the boy on social media.

A spokesman for Glasgow City Council, which runs the cemetery, says: "we will provide any assistance the inquiry needs."