A FATAL Accident Inquiry into the death of a man at a Greenock care home has been delayed for a third time.

Robert McPaul, 70, died at Sir Gabriel Wood’s Mariners’ Home on March 30, 2018.

Mr McPaul choked after being served food which was not suitable for his dietary requirements.

An initial preliminary hearing was held on July 19 before a second took place on August 28, with lawyers being asked to confirm the availability of witnesses.

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Sheriff Neil Kinnear heard yesterday that ‘considerable progress’ has been made since the last hearing, but that some matters still required to be resolved.

Sheriff Kinnear noted that there may be difficulties in fixing a starting date for the FAI due to uncertainty surrounding the availability of inquiry sheriff, Sheena Fraser, who is now based in Kilmarnock.

A fourth preliminary calling of the case has been scheduled for November 1 to ensure all parties are fully prepared to proceed.