Overview
- Police say Gary Anderson failed to return to HMP Maghaberry after being granted day release to attend his father’s funeral and is unlawfully at large.
- Northern Ireland Prison Service had refused the compassionate release but a court overturned that decision and the prisoner absconded from a court‑approved chaperone rather than a prison officer.
- The PSNI has launched an urgent search and asked the public not to approach Anderson, who is described as about 5ft 11in, slim, with brown hair, a scar on his right hand and a smiley‑face tattoo on his left ankle.
- Officers have urged anyone with information to call 101 quoting reference 555 of 14/09/26 or to contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
- Anderson was jailed for 15 years in 2023 for the 2018 murder of Karol Kelly and the case has prompted ministerial questions and likely scrutiny of how compassionate temporary release decisions are made and overseen.