Gillespie killer held on threats to kill

Double killer John Gallagher has been arrested on charges of making threats to kill and harassment.

Gallagher, aged 46, who is originally from Co Donegal, now lives in Strabane, Co Tyrone.

He was arrested on Tuesday following an incident outside a shopping centre in the town.

It is understood that Mr Gallagher, who killed daughter and mother Anne, 18, and Annie, 51, Gillespie in 1988, was involved in an altercation with an estranged family member.

Threats were made and Gallagher was arrested by the PSNI. He was charged and is to appear in court on May 6 next.

A spokesman for the PSNI confirmed: “A 46-year-old man was arrested in Strabane on Tuesday, May 14. He has been charged with threats to kill and harassment.

“He is due to appear at Strabane Magistrates Court on Thursday, June 6, 2013. As is normal procedure all charges will be reviewed by the PPS.”

Gallagher was released from the Central Mental Hospital in Dublin in June last year after he handed himself in after 12 years on the run.

Gallagher was found “guilty but insane” at his trial in 1989, but absconded and later set up home in Strabane.

He had voluntarily returned last May, but was discharged two months later.

It followed a decision by a mental health panel which had been assessing his case.

A number of conditions had been imposed on Gallagher.

He was allowed to visit his mother in Lifford, but was banned from any contact with the Gillespie family and his own estranged relatives.

There have been a number of reports of altercations between Gallagher and his estranged family.