Man accused of 'Gerbil' murder is freed on bail

A MAN accused of murdering gangland figure Kevin "Gerbil" Carroll was yesterday freed from prison.

Ross Monaghan, 29, was in the dock for a second preliminary hearing at the High Court in Glasgow. He is alleged to have murdered Carroll in the car park of the Asda store in Robroyston on 13 January last year.

Monaghan has been on remand since first appearing in court last August. But Judge Lady Smith yesterday granted him bail after prosecutor Dorothy Bain, QC, said new information had emerged.

Ms Bain told the the court: "The accused appears on indictment facing seven charges - one of which is murder. As a result of inquiries, further information has come to the attention of the prosecuting authorities."

The QC said a trial date could not be set, as "further time" was needed for work to be carried out.

Monaghan's counsel, Tony Graham, then requested the accused be freed on bail meantime.

Lady Smith allowed bail subject to special conditions, and adjourned the hearing until March.

Monaghan denies all the charges.