GRUESOME KILLING
Brutal murder trial most important case on court calendar
Last Saturday we told the awful story of Paisley murderer John Gallacher, who slit the throat of his wife, Margaret, while she was holding their 17-month old son Thomas.
Gallacher’s trial took place at the high court in Glasgow and was termed “the most important case on the calendar”.
Gallacher pled not guilty and the packed public gallery heard from Margaret’s sister, Catherine McNaught, who said her sister and Gallacher didn’t get on.
Catherine also stated that on the night of the murder, Gallacher had come to the door and asked if Maggie was in.
Her mum said: “Maggie, that’s Gallacher, in God’s name, don’t go out.”
Miss Mary McNaught, another sister, said that Gallacher was in the habit of striking Maggie, and she had seen him do it.
Margaret’s brother, Thomas, 18, was out for a walk at the time and was told his sister was looking for him.
He rushed back with his pal, Flannigan.
Shortly after, he heard a scuffle and ran into the room, where his sister and nephew lay in a heap on the floor.
He pushed the accused out the door. Thomas knew that Margaret was frightened of Gallacher.
On the night of the murder, George Varlaque said he’d had a few drinks with Gallacher, who’d told him he’d given his wife “a good hiding”.
He asked Varlaque to go and find out how she was.
Varlaque said he’d heard that Maggie had been cut on the jaw, which prompted Gallacher to say he would run away to Ardrossan, and get a boat to Ireland.
Joseph Hancy had shared a drink with Gallacher in a public house, and he insisted Gallacher had spoke of committing suicide.
In court, Dr Janette Robb Wilson told the jury that she pronounced Mrs Gallacher dead at the Royal Alexandra Infirmary at 11pm on the Saturday night.
Gallacher, who was said to be of low intelligence, looked solemn as the jury returned.
“Guilty of murder as libelled,” shrieked judge Lord Alness – and he sentenced Gallacher to death by hanging.
Next week: The story takes an incredible twist.