DAVID MCVEIGH FROM LEEDS AND NORTHERN IRELAND BACK ON THE STREETS DESPITE DANGERS
| Red Rose Database
Northern Ireland Leeds Sexual Abuser
In a troubling development, David McVeigh, a man convicted of heinous crimes including the murder and sexual assault of a young girl, has been seen walking freely on the streets of Northern Ireland. This comes despite the serious warnings issued by the judiciary about his dangerous nature and the risks associated with his release.
McVeigh, who was responsible for the tragic death of 14-year-old Janet Swanson, was released from Maghaberry Prison on a temporary basis. His release was part of a series of short-term permissions granted to him, even though a judge had explicitly stated that "the greatest possible caution should be exercised before releasing him." The decision to allow his temporary freedom has sparked outrage and concern among the public and officials alike.
On Sunday, a photographer from Sunday Life captured McVeigh in the company of two other notorious offenders—Barry Skinner, a hitman associated with the UDA, and Gerry Stokes, a man convicted of murder in Scotland. All three were seen leaving the high-security prison, where they are all serving life sentences. Recently, they were granted a 10-day leave to stay with family and friends, a move that has raised questions about the criteria and oversight involved in such releases.
Ulster Unionist MLA Doug Beattie has publicly voiced his concerns, demanding answers from the justice system regarding why these individuals, especially McVeigh, were released simultaneously. He emphasized the importance of maintaining public confidence in the justice process and called for stricter sentencing policies that prioritize punishment, deterrence, and public safety. Beattie stated, "It is absolutely crucial that the justice system realises the importance of maintaining public confidence. Therefore decisions that result in dangerous individuals being released for extended periods before their sentence is completed must be explained to the widest possible audience."
Sources within the prison system have described the decision to release McVeigh as particularly risky. Historically, he has been removed from previous pre-release schemes due to concerns over his conduct, which included suspected drug use and shoplifting. Prison staff monitoring him are also alarmed by his close association with Ricky Close, a convicted murderer and sex offender who murdered retired Co Down teacher Daphne Taylor while on bail for sexual assault. Close’s criminal history and his relationship with McVeigh have added layers of concern about potential influence and dangerous associations.
Additionally, McVeigh maintains a close relationship with Jimmy Hunter, a 57-year-old gunman who escaped from Maghaberry last year and was recently transferred to a prison in England. A security source described McVeigh as "one of the most devious inmates in the prison," highlighting the difficulty in understanding how he was granted temporary release given his history of rule-breaking and previous removal from similar schemes.
Two weeks prior to his recent release, McVeigh was granted leave to attend a funeral of a close relative. Until recently, he managed to conceal the full extent of his criminal past from other inmates, claiming that his crimes involved the killing of an adult in a spontaneous act. It was only recently that fellow prisoners learned that his victim was a 14-year-old girl, Janet Swanson, whom he murdered in 1995.
McVeigh’s crime was particularly brutal. He exploited a familial connection—his father was dating Janet’s mother—to lure her into a forest near Leeds. There, he subjected her to a violent sexual assault, then strangled her with the drawstring of her anorak, and left her body in a ditch. His arrest followed, and initially, he denied involvement. However, on the second day of his trial, he pleaded guilty after evidence, including CCTV footage and a lottery ticket found in Janet’s pocket, linked him directly to the crime scene.
Judge Timothy Walker sentenced McVeigh to life imprisonment with a minimum term of 16 years, describing him as "extremely dangerous" and emphasizing the need for utmost caution in his potential release. His sentence was later reduced on appeal to a minimum of 13 years, and he was transferred back to a prison in Northern Ireland in 2000.
The other two individuals seen with McVeigh—Barry Skinner and Gerry Stokes—are also considered highly dangerous. Skinner, a bodybuilder and convicted murderer, has spent 17 years behind bars for the 2002 murder of Alexander McKinley, a crime he carried out with premeditation during a drugs feud. His reputation among fellow inmates is that of a "psycho," and he is known to keep a wide berth.
Gerry Stokes, who was also photographed leaving Maghaberry, was sentenced to life in 2008 for the murder of James Forsythe in Scotland. His criminal record extends back over four decades, including convictions for robbery, firearm possession, and numerous dishonesty-related crimes. Prior to the murder, he served a 12-year sentence for a serious assault.
These recent releases have raised serious questions about the justice system’s approach to managing individuals deemed highly dangerous. Critics argue that such decisions undermine public safety and trust, especially when involving offenders with violent and sexual histories like McVeigh, Skinner, and Stokes. The community and officials alike are calling for greater transparency and stricter policies to prevent similar situations in the future.
McVeigh, who was responsible for the tragic death of 14-year-old Janet Swanson, was released from Maghaberry Prison on a temporary basis. His release was part of a series of short-term permissions granted to him, even though a judge had explicitly stated that "the greatest possible caution should be exercised before releasing him." The decision to allow his temporary freedom has sparked outrage and concern among the public and officials alike.
On Sunday, a photographer from Sunday Life captured McVeigh in the company of two other notorious offenders—Barry Skinner, a hitman associated with the UDA, and Gerry Stokes, a man convicted of murder in Scotland. All three were seen leaving the high-security prison, where they are all serving life sentences. Recently, they were granted a 10-day leave to stay with family and friends, a move that has raised questions about the criteria and oversight involved in such releases.
Ulster Unionist MLA Doug Beattie has publicly voiced his concerns, demanding answers from the justice system regarding why these individuals, especially McVeigh, were released simultaneously. He emphasized the importance of maintaining public confidence in the justice process and called for stricter sentencing policies that prioritize punishment, deterrence, and public safety. Beattie stated, "It is absolutely crucial that the justice system realises the importance of maintaining public confidence. Therefore decisions that result in dangerous individuals being released for extended periods before their sentence is completed must be explained to the widest possible audience."
Sources within the prison system have described the decision to release McVeigh as particularly risky. Historically, he has been removed from previous pre-release schemes due to concerns over his conduct, which included suspected drug use and shoplifting. Prison staff monitoring him are also alarmed by his close association with Ricky Close, a convicted murderer and sex offender who murdered retired Co Down teacher Daphne Taylor while on bail for sexual assault. Close’s criminal history and his relationship with McVeigh have added layers of concern about potential influence and dangerous associations.
Additionally, McVeigh maintains a close relationship with Jimmy Hunter, a 57-year-old gunman who escaped from Maghaberry last year and was recently transferred to a prison in England. A security source described McVeigh as "one of the most devious inmates in the prison," highlighting the difficulty in understanding how he was granted temporary release given his history of rule-breaking and previous removal from similar schemes.
Two weeks prior to his recent release, McVeigh was granted leave to attend a funeral of a close relative. Until recently, he managed to conceal the full extent of his criminal past from other inmates, claiming that his crimes involved the killing of an adult in a spontaneous act. It was only recently that fellow prisoners learned that his victim was a 14-year-old girl, Janet Swanson, whom he murdered in 1995.
McVeigh’s crime was particularly brutal. He exploited a familial connection—his father was dating Janet’s mother—to lure her into a forest near Leeds. There, he subjected her to a violent sexual assault, then strangled her with the drawstring of her anorak, and left her body in a ditch. His arrest followed, and initially, he denied involvement. However, on the second day of his trial, he pleaded guilty after evidence, including CCTV footage and a lottery ticket found in Janet’s pocket, linked him directly to the crime scene.
Judge Timothy Walker sentenced McVeigh to life imprisonment with a minimum term of 16 years, describing him as "extremely dangerous" and emphasizing the need for utmost caution in his potential release. His sentence was later reduced on appeal to a minimum of 13 years, and he was transferred back to a prison in Northern Ireland in 2000.
The other two individuals seen with McVeigh—Barry Skinner and Gerry Stokes—are also considered highly dangerous. Skinner, a bodybuilder and convicted murderer, has spent 17 years behind bars for the 2002 murder of Alexander McKinley, a crime he carried out with premeditation during a drugs feud. His reputation among fellow inmates is that of a "psycho," and he is known to keep a wide berth.
Gerry Stokes, who was also photographed leaving Maghaberry, was sentenced to life in 2008 for the murder of James Forsythe in Scotland. His criminal record extends back over four decades, including convictions for robbery, firearm possession, and numerous dishonesty-related crimes. Prior to the murder, he served a 12-year sentence for a serious assault.
These recent releases have raised serious questions about the justice system’s approach to managing individuals deemed highly dangerous. Critics argue that such decisions undermine public safety and trust, especially when involving offenders with violent and sexual histories like McVeigh, Skinner, and Stokes. The community and officials alike are calling for greater transparency and stricter policies to prevent similar situations in the future.