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24/05/2012
Independent Panel To Decide On John Gallagher Case
Legal experts have said that an independent panel of doctors and experts will be tasked with deciding whether John Gallagher ought to be further detained, following his return to the Central Mental Hospital.
Mr Gallagher absconded while on day release from the Central Mental Hospital in 2000, after being found guilty but insane on a charge of murdering Anne and Annie Gillespie in the grounds of Sligo Hospital in 1988.
His extradition to the Republic was never sought, because under the law, he was never convicted of a crime in Ireland.
Gallagher walked back into the mental hospital in Dublin earlier this month.
It is reported that he is planning to take a legal case to be declared sane again so that he can be released.
Speaking on RTÉ’s News at One, Senior Council Paul Anthony McDermott said that under previous legislation, the decision as to whether to further detain or release a patient in such circumstances would have been made by the Minister for Justice.
However, Mr McDermott said that a new system was put in place as a result of the Mental Health Act 2006.
"Mr Gallagher's position has changed now. At the time of his escape he was subject to the Minister for Justice, who could decide whether he could be released,” Mr McDermott said.
“But now he is going back to a very different regime, because now he can go before an independent panel of doctors and experts."
He continued: “If that independent body says that now Mr Gallagher has been cured, that his mental health problems, whatever they were, have been cured, then there is no basis for detaining him any further because the only basis on which he is being detained is that he is mentally ill.
“If the doctors say he isn't, then he walks free, and from his point of view, that's the end of the matter."
(H)
Mr Gallagher absconded while on day release from the Central Mental Hospital in 2000, after being found guilty but insane on a charge of murdering Anne and Annie Gillespie in the grounds of Sligo Hospital in 1988.
His extradition to the Republic was never sought, because under the law, he was never convicted of a crime in Ireland.
Gallagher walked back into the mental hospital in Dublin earlier this month.
It is reported that he is planning to take a legal case to be declared sane again so that he can be released.
Speaking on RTÉ’s News at One, Senior Council Paul Anthony McDermott said that under previous legislation, the decision as to whether to further detain or release a patient in such circumstances would have been made by the Minister for Justice.
However, Mr McDermott said that a new system was put in place as a result of the Mental Health Act 2006.
"Mr Gallagher's position has changed now. At the time of his escape he was subject to the Minister for Justice, who could decide whether he could be released,” Mr McDermott said.
“But now he is going back to a very different regime, because now he can go before an independent panel of doctors and experts."
He continued: “If that independent body says that now Mr Gallagher has been cured, that his mental health problems, whatever they were, have been cured, then there is no basis for detaining him any further because the only basis on which he is being detained is that he is mentally ill.
“If the doctors say he isn't, then he walks free, and from his point of view, that's the end of the matter."
(H)
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Relatives Claim Gallagher Handed Himself In To Get Inheritance
Family members of double killer John Gallagher have said they believe he has only handed himself in to the authorities in an attempt to secure a significant inheritance. 46-year-old Gallagher returned to the Central Mental Hospital in Dundrum this week, 12 years after he absconded.
23 May 2012
Double-Killer John Gallagher Hands Himself In
Almost 12 years since absconding from Central Mental Hospital, double killer John Gallagher handed himself back in to the hospital earlier this month. Anne Lafferty, sister-in-law of one of his victim’s, said the family were told only last night that Gallagher was back in detention.
Double-Killer John Gallagher Hands Himself In
Almost 12 years since absconding from Central Mental Hospital, double killer John Gallagher handed himself back in to the hospital earlier this month. Anne Lafferty, sister-in-law of one of his victim’s, said the family were told only last night that Gallagher was back in detention.
30 July 2008
Delegates Visit Controversial Mental Hospital Site
Irish political representatives visited the controversial site for the proposed new Central Mental Hospital, in Dublin yesterday. Senators and TDs toured the Thornton Hall site, close to where a new "super prison" is being constructed.
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Irish political representatives visited the controversial site for the proposed new Central Mental Hospital, in Dublin yesterday. Senators and TDs toured the Thornton Hall site, close to where a new "super prison" is being constructed.
25 October 2012
Medical Checks Advised After Prostitute Tests Positive For HIV
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Medical Checks Advised After Prostitute Tests Positive For HIV
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06 September 2012
Woman Charged With 8-Year-Old Sons Murder
A 42-year-old Limerick woman has been charged with the murder her eight-year-old son. Diane Ward was brought to a special sitting of Limerick District Court yesterday evening, charged with the murder of her son Anthony at their home in Charleville. Gardaí and relatives discovered the boy’s body at Harrison Place, Charleville, on Monday morning.
Woman Charged With 8-Year-Old Sons Murder
A 42-year-old Limerick woman has been charged with the murder her eight-year-old son. Diane Ward was brought to a special sitting of Limerick District Court yesterday evening, charged with the murder of her son Anthony at their home in Charleville. Gardaí and relatives discovered the boy’s body at Harrison Place, Charleville, on Monday morning.
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