Information ‘not communicated’ to NIPS ahead of Gary Anderson temporary release
Northern Ireland’s justice minister said that a probe into the temporary release of on-the-run murderer Gary Anderson has found that information was not communicated to the Northern Ireland Prison Service following a court hearing.
Anderson absconded last Monday after being granted temporary release from Maghaberry Prison to attend his father’s funeral.
He has not been seen since.
The public have been advised not to approach him.
The 29-year-old was sentenced in 2023 to 15 years for the murder of Karol Kelly in Londonderry.
Father of five, Mr Kelly died on Grafton Street in the city in the early hours of March 4 2018, after an altercation during which he was stabbed several times.
Anderson and his brother, Sean Anderson, were found guilty of the killing.
Both prisoners had applications for temporary compassionate leave to attend their father’s funeral turned down by the prison authorities.
Those decisions were challenged in the courts and while the decision to refuse leave to Sean Anderson was upheld, the court ordered that Gary Anderson could be temporarily released with conditions attached.
A statement issued on behalf of Minister for Justice Naomi Long said that a “reconsideration of the original decision” regarding Gary Anderson’s temporary release was discussed during a court hearing, however, this was not communicated to the prison service.
Ms Long is to make a statement to the Assembly on Monday.
“The Justice Minister remains deeply concerned about the circumstances surrounding the compassionate temporary release of Gary Anderson and his subsequent absconding,” the justice department said in a statement.
“In particular, she is acutely conscious of the distress the situation has caused to the family of Karol Kelly, with whom she intends to meet at the earliest opportunity, as well as wider public concern.
“Since reporting to the Assembly earlier this week, and on foot of the review, which she committed to regarding the circumstances of this case, further information has emerged regarding the handling of the case and events surrounding the judicial review proceedings.
“As soon as the Minister was made aware of these issues, she instructed the director general of the Northern Ireland Prison Service (NIPS) to undertake an urgent investigation into these matters.
“As a result, it now appears that, while the Court’s judgment records that the possibility of a reconsideration of the original decision was discussed during proceedings, this opportunity was not communicated by legal representatives to those within NIPS who held responsibility for the decision.
“Updates provided to NIPS following the hearing, including legal readouts, did not indicate such an opportunity had been offered.
“The minister is clear that it is important that all relevant facts are established and considered carefully, and she intends to update the Assembly at the earliest opportunity as to the actions she will be taking to ensure that this happens.
“Indeed, immediately on becoming aware of this new information, she indicated her intention to make an oral statement to the Assembly on Monday to the Speaker’s Office.
“While Gary Anderson remains unlawfully at large, the minister has also urged him to surrender himself to authorities immediately, and asks anyone with information regarding his whereabouts to contact the PSNI without delay.”
Police have made a fresh appeal for information about Anderson’s whereabouts.
He was last seen on Monday morning in the Eastway area of Creggan in Derry at approximately 11am.
The PSNI is liaising with gardai as part of its efforts to capture on-the-run murderer Gary Anderson.