Prison death of notorious Lyons gangster to be probed by sheriff

Andrew 'Dumbo' Gallacher was found dead in HMP Addiewell in 2021.

The death of a notorious gangland hitman behind bars is to be probed by a sheriff. Andrew 'Dumbo' Gallacher was found dead in HMP Addiewell in 2021.

The Lyons mob henchman, who was jailed over murder bid plots on Steven 'Bonzo' Daniel and other rivals, was discovered at the West Lothian jail where he was serving 20 years for the brutal attacks on Daniel and associates. It is understood the hood was found in his cell at the private prison.

Gallacher, 43, and five other Lyons cronies were caged for a total of 104 years for the murder bid and chilling plots to target other Daniel associates. Their trial heard they turned Glasgow into a 'warzone' as they plotted to kill crime clan rivals. The thug was a long-time rival of the Daniel clan and was once shot by feared enforcer Kevin 'Gerbil' Carroll.

A fatal accident inquiry into Gallacher's death is set to be held at Livingston Sheriff Court. The probe is mandatory as he died while in legal custody. Three months before he died Gallacher was attacked behind bars in a savage ambush. He was targeted by a fellow lag as he painted a building within the jail complex.

A Crown Office notice announcing the inquiry said: "An inquiry into the death of Mr Andrew Gallacher, aged 43, care of His Majesty's Prison (HMP) Addiewell, 9 Station Road, Addiewell, West Calder, is to be held.

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"The inquiry is a mandatory inquiry under Section 2(4) of the Inquiries into Fatal Accidents and Sudden Deaths etc. (Scotland) Act 2016 as Mr. Gallacher was in lawful custody at HMP Addiewell at the time of his death. A preliminary hearing has been fixed for October 30 within Livingston Sheriff Court."

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