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Justice Minister Orders Review After Gary Anderson Escape

By Drooid · Sep 22, 2026, 4:15 PM UTC · How we work

Summary

Story summary

Justice Minister Naomi Long announced an independent review of the release that allowed convicted killer Gary Anderson to escape.
Anderson absconded after compassionate release for father's funeral in Londonderry.
Judge Rooney found the governor used an inflated risk score of 32 instead of the correct medium score of 27.
Judge Rooney granted Anderson conditional temporary release, calling the prison’s original decision flawed.

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Story summary

Justice Minister Naomi Long announced an independent review of the release that allowed convicted killer Gary Anderson to escape.
Anderson absconded after compassionate release for father's funeral in Londonderry.
Judge Rooney found the governor used an inflated risk score of 32 instead of the correct medium score of 27.
Judge Rooney granted Anderson conditional temporary release, calling the prison’s original decision flawed.