Killer in mental hospital seeks home cooking

Double killer John Gallagher has asked his family to bring him food because he will not eat what is being provided for him at the Central Mental Hospital.

His family revealed last night he has arranged for visitors to bring him food, as he is a “fussy eater”.

A family spokesman said: “He has always been a fussy eater and he’s still the same. The last time he was in Dundrum, we would take it in turns to visit him and we would bring him all sorts of prepared food.

“Turkey was one of his favourite foods and he always asked for the legs.

“My mother would often make the journey up to see him and bring him food. When my father got ill, she would make the journey herself from Donegal on the bus.

“He lived in the lap of luxury. He had a laptop computer, television, and everything else he asked for.”

The 46-year-old Donegal man handed himself in to the hospital on May 14 after absconding from the unit 12 years ago.

He was found guilty but insane of killing mother and daughter Anne and Annie Gillespie in the grounds of Sligo General Hospital in 1988.

Gallagher fled to England but returned to live in Strabane in 2003 just miles from his victim’s families.

Many believe he will make a legal bid for freedom claiming he is now sane and can no longer be detained lawfully.

However, his family, apart from his brother Christopher, say they fear for their own safety.

“He has said he got away with killing twice and he can do it again. We are terrified that he could be out within weeks if something is not done about this,” the spokesman said.