Double killer out of mental hospital

Double killer John Gallagher has been released from the Central Mental Hospital in Dublin.

The Co Donegal man was released just after 4pm yesterday after his case was reviewed.

Gallagher, who killed mother and daughter Anne and Annie Gillespie in the grounds of Sligo Hospital in 1988, signed himself back into the hospital last month.

Gallagher had been on the run since escaping from the Central Mental Hospital in 2000.

He moved to England but in 2003 he returned to live in Strabane, Co Tyrone, just a mile from his home in Lifford, Co Donegal.

He could not be arrested as he had not committed a crime in the North.

Relatives of Gallagher were told of his pending release yesterday. They were contacted by gardaí at 3pm and told Gallagher was to be released at 5pm.

However at 4.05pm, the double killer walked out of the gates of Dundrum Central Mental Hospital.

A number of conditions have been imposed on Gallagher.

He is allowed to visit his mother in Lifford, and his father’s grave. However, he has been banned from having any contact with members of the Gillespie family or estranged members of his own family.

A spokesman for the Gallagher family said they were distraught at his release.