Karen Buckley’s murderer moved to new prison over safety fears

Karen Buckley was just 24-years-old when she was murdered by Alexander Pacteau while working in Glasgow in 2015.

The disappearance of the Co.Cork-native last April sparked a massive city-wide manhunt which came to a devastating end four days later when the young woman's remains were found on a remote farm in Glasgow.

Having initially denied any involvement in Karen's tragic demise, Alexander, who was 21-years-old at the time, ultimately pleaded guilty to the nurse’s murder and was sentenced to 23 years in prison.

Alexander targeted Karen when she left the Sanctuary nightclub following a night out with friends. He attempted to dispose of her body in a vat of chemicals – actions which Glasgow High Court Judge Lady Rae deemed 'callous' and 'calculating'.

Something that even Alexander’s fellow inmates agree with.

In fact, the 22-year-old, who was a prisoner in HM Prison Shotts, Lanarkshire, has been moved to privately-run Kilmarnock prison for his own safety, after a plot against him came to light.

“He’d become a target to some dangerous people who are aware of what he’s done,” an insider told the Irish Mirror.

“Prison chiefs had no choice but to move him. But he will probably face the same reaction there.”

At the time of sentencing, the Buckley family described him as "truly evil".

"We hope that he spends the rest of his life behind bars. Our hearts are broken at the thoughts of Karen’s final moments in this world," her father said in a statement.