Poisoned suspect’s autopsy had to be held in quarry

THE post-mortem examination of a rape suspect who swallowed mole and rat poison before being taken into custody had to be carried out in the open air.

A fatal accident inquiry at Inverness Sheriff Court heard the procedure to establish the cause of Gerard McNally’s death was moved away from the mortuary at Raigmore Hospital, Inverness, because of a danger to staff.

The body was examined at Daviot Quarry, a few miles down the A9 from the hospital, and mortuary technicians, a pathologist and police observers were taken there along with the body.

The unusual autopsy took place on 20 August, 2010, exactly one week after Mr McNally, 48, of Fort Augustus, died in the hospital, three and a half hours after being detained by Northern Constabulary on suspicion of committing sex offences, including rape.

Yesterday, Detective Sergeant Donald MacPhail told the inquiry he had been appointed to investigate the death of Mr McNally while in custody.

He told the inquiry the post- mortem had to be conducted in the open air because toxic gases could escape from the body while incisions were being made by the medical experts.

Phostoxin reacts with water or other fluids to release a poisonous gas, which kills rodents such as rats and moles.

Earlier, the court heard that the dead man told family members he was afraid of prison.

The inquiry continues.