Killer Gallagher detained after handing himself in

Double killer John Gallagher is back in detention after handing himself over to authorities yesterday.

Gallagher, from Lifford in Co Donegal, shot and killed his girlfriend Anne Gillespie and her mother Annie in the grounds of Sligo General Hospital in 1988, after learning that Anne planned to end her relationship with him.

The 46-year-old was tried for murder but was found to be insane and then absconded from the Central Mental Hospital in 2000.

He fled to England before moving to Strabane in Co Tyrone, just a few miles from where his victims lived, where he has been living openly ever since.

Gardaí were unable to arrest him unless he crossed the border into the Republic.

Yesterday, he handed himself over to the Central Mental Hospital.

The Department of Justice said that he is now being detained.