PSNI and Gardaí join forces to find fugitive killer Gary Anderson, last seen in Derry

Convicted murderer Gary Anderson absconded after being granted court-ordered temporary release to attend his father's funeral. He was last seen in Derry on Monday morning.

Manhunt for escaped murderer Gary Anderson crosses Irish border

The PSNI is working with An Garda Síochána to track down convicted murderer Gary Anderson, who absconded on Monday after being granted temporary compassionate release from Maghaberry Prison, leitrimobserver.ie reports.

Anderson, 29, was sentenced in 2023 to 15 years for the murder of Karol Kelly in Londonderry. Kelly, a father of five, died on Grafton Street in the early hours of 4 March 2018 after being stabbed multiple times during an altercation.

Anderson and his brother Sean Anderson were both convicted of the killing. Prison authorities had initially refused both men compassionate leave to attend their father's funeral. Sean Anderson's challenge to that refusal was upheld in court, but a judge ordered that Gary Anderson could be temporarily released under conditions — a decision he subsequently violated.

He was last seen at approximately 11am on Monday in the Eastway area of Creggan in Derry. Police have since conducted searches, CCTV checks and extensive patrols in an effort to locate him. Cross-border liaison with the Gardaí is ongoing amid concerns that Anderson may have crossed into the Republic.

Detective Inspector Gareth Lavery said police were grateful for information received following their initial public appeal. "As of this time, Gary Anderson has not been located," he said, adding that every report made to police was being investigated.

Lavery made a direct appeal to Anderson to hand himself in and urged members of the public not to approach him. "We reiterate our appeal to anyone who knows where Gary is, or indeed has any information about his movements or whereabouts, not to approach him directly but to contact police as soon as possible," he said.

Police also called on anyone who was in the Eastway area on Monday morning and who may have captured relevant footage to come forward.

The Justice Committee has written to Justice Minister Naomi Long and the Prison Service seeking what it described as "urgent answers" regarding the circumstances of Anderson's release. Long told the Northern Ireland Assembly earlier in the week that the decision to release Anderson was made by the court, not the prison authorities.

Source: Irish Independent