Gardai searching for John Gallagher, who absconded from the Central Mental Hospital last weekend, believe he may have escaped to Britain where police forces have been given his description.
The family of the mother and daughter shot dead by Gallagher in 1988 yesterday expressed deep concern at his escape and said they feared he may return to Co Donegal, placing them in danger.
However, detectives were examining airport and port passenger lists for last weekend and have manned exits from the State. "We believe his plan is not to come back," said a Garda spokesman.
Ms Anne Gillespie (18) was shot dead alongside her mother Annie (50) in a car on the grounds of Sligo General Hospital. Ms Gillespie had recently finished her relationship with Gallagher and the family had made a complaint to the local gardai that he had raped her.
Two brothers and four sisters of Mrs Annie Gillespie live in the Ballybofey area. One brother, Mr Alphonsus Lafferty, said the family were "very worried" at his escape and were concerned they hadn't been adequately assured of their safety by the authorities.
"We were told of his escape at midnight on Saturday night by a local garda. He said a car would pass up by the house a couple of times during the night but that doesn't give you much peace of mind."
Mr Lafferty said the family had made no official request for police protection, but he had considered getting a firearm for protection. He described Gallagher's decision to abscond as "very stupid, crazy - he was going to get out anyway"
A hospital source yesterday stressed staff were genuinely surprised Gallagher absconded as it was widely expected he would be released within two years. However, he appeared to be getting frustrated with the length of the release procedures. He took most of his belongings with him, including a framed photograph of his victims.
It is understood a psychiatrist for Gallagher's free legal aid team carried out an assessment on him last Friday and his view was "very positive". The ultimate decision to release Gallagher would have been taken by the Department of Justice.
In a State-wide Garda circular yesterday, Gallagher (34), originally from Lifford, Co Donegal, was described as 5ft 8 1/2 inches, 11 stone and of slim build with short dark brown hair. He was clean-shaven on leaving the hospital and he sometimes wears glasses.
Gallagher was wearing motorcycling leathers, possibly over denim clothing, according to the circular. He owned the yellow and gold Yamaha 125 he was riding, registration 00 WW 4750.
His non-appearance at the hospital was reported at Dundrum Garda station at 9.50 p.m. by Dr Brendan O'Reilly, who said Gallagher had left the hospital at midday and had been due to return at 6.45 p.m.
Dr Charles Smith, clinical director of the Central Mental Hospital. yesterday stressed Gallagher was not a danger to the community, but said when he was re-arrested his actions would delay his discharge.
Gallagher had been partaking in a phased release programme over the last five years and was employed full-time over the last two years at Celtic Glass Ltd in Stillorgan, south Dublin, a warehouse where he was a forklift and van driver. A senior Garda source said it appeared Gallagher had pre-planned his escape. "This was not something he did on the spur of the moment. He had this planned for a considerable length of time."