Government set to change insanity laws

NEW insanity laws are to be introduced by the Department of Justice bringing our legislation more into line with Britain. One of the major changes will be that the guilty but insane verdict will be abolishedgo and a new plea of guilty but with diminished responsibility will be introduced.

The latter provision is that used in the main by the British authorities and is the major reason why double killer John Gallagher has not yet been extradited back to this country following his escape in July, 2000.

He shot dead a mother and daughter in the car park of Sligo General Hospital after his relationship with the girl ended.