Murder convict on the run after court-ordered temporary release for father's funeral
Gary Anderson, a 29-year-old serving a 15-year murder sentence, failed to return from a court-mandated day release to attend his father's funeral and is now being sought by police.
A court overturned the Northern Ireland Prison Service’s denial of compassionate temporary release for Gary Anderson, who was serving a 15-year term for the 2018 murder of Karol Kelly. Released on day leave to attend his father's funeral, Anderson vanished after his court-appointed chaperone left his side. The Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) is now urging him to turn himself in and has asked the public to avoid confronting him.
DUP MLA Trevor Clarke has called for Justice Minister Naomi Long to explain the circumstances to the Assembly. Long emphasized that the prison service had conducted all required risk assessments and that the incident does not justify revising the release scheme. Authorities have provided contact numbers for anyone with information, including an anonymous tip line through Crimestoppers.
Why it matters
A convicted murderer on the loose raises public safety concerns and highlights tensions over compassionate release policies.
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