Full Breakdown
Gary Anderson Absconds After Court-Overturned Prison Refusal
By Drooid · · How we work
Court Decision and Prison Error
A judicial review on Sunday saw Mr Justice Rooney overturn the Maghaberry Prison duty governor’s refusal to grant compassionate temporary release (CTR) to convicted murderer Gary Anderson. The prison’s risk-assessment system recorded a medium re-offending score of 27, but the decision letter cited a high score of 32. A prison legal representative said the inflated figure came from a colleague, not the governor. The judge invited the governor to review the decision; the offer was declined.
Police Manhunt and Public Appeal
The Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) launched a search after Anderson failed to return to prison following his father’s funeral. He was last seen on a Monday morning in the Eastway area of Creggan, Derry, at about 11:00 BST. PSNI officers, working with An Garda Síochána, are reviewing CCTV, conducting patrols and door-to-door enquiries. Anderson is described as 5 ft 11 in, slim, with brown hair. Detectives have urged the public not to approach him and to contact police with any information.
Family Reaction and Political Response
The family of Karol Kelly, murdered in 2018, expressed distress and frustration. Mark H. Durkan, MLA for Foyle, wrote to Justice Minister Naomi Long seeking a meeting for the Kelly family to ask questions about the release process. Durkan said the family does not blame the minister but wants clarity on the evidence the prison service gave the court.
Data & Statistics
- Risk-assessment scores: 27 (system) vs 32 (decision).
- Sentences: Gary Anderson – minimum 15-year term; brother Sean Anderson – 17-year term.
- Murder: Karol Kelly was stabbed to death on 4 March 2018 in Derry.
- Release details: CTR was granted to attend his father’s funeral at St Mary’s Church, Creggan, and cremation in Letterkenny, County Donegal.
Official Statements & Responses
Justice Minister Naomi Long has been asked to meet the Kelly family. Prison officials acknowledged the risk-score error and declined the judge’s invitation to revisit the decision.
Criticism & Opposition
Prison authorities originally opposed the CTR, citing security concerns. The judge found the decision relied on “materially disadvantageous” and inaccurate information, challenging that stance. The admission that the inflated score came from a colleague highlights procedural shortcomings in the release assessment.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
Sources differ on how Anderson escaped despite being accompanied by a court-approved civilian chaperone; no official explanation has been provided. The discrepancy between the recorded score and the figure used in the governor’s decision remains unresolved.
Verbatim Quotes
- “We are grateful for information received following our public appeal on Monday and we want to assure you that we are investigating every report made to us, and we are doing all we can to locate Gary Anderson,” — Det Insp Gareth Lavery
What’s Next
Mark H. Durkan has written to Justice Minister Naomi Long requesting a meeting for the Kelly family to obtain answers about the release process, the evidence presented to the court, and safeguards for future compassionate releases.