Murderer Gary Anderson arrested in Donegal after more than a week unlawfully at large

Convicted murderer who was at large, now behind bars: Gary Anderson

Wednesday 23 September 2026

Convicted murderer Gary Anderson has been arrested in County Donegal after being unlawfully at large for more than a week, the Police Service of Northern Ireland has confirmed.

The 29-year-old was arrested by An Garda Síochána at a property in the Buncrana area shortly before 2pm today, Wednesday 23 September.

Anderson had been unlawfully at large since Monday 14 September after absconding while on compassionate temporary release from prison to attend his father’s funeral in Derry/Londonderry.

Arrest follows extensive cross-border search

The PSNI had carried out searches, CCTV checks and extensive patrols during the investigation and had been liaising with An Garda Síochána as efforts continued to locate Anderson.

Detective Inspector Gareth Lavery said:

“I want to thank everyone who assisted with our enquiries since our public appeal last Monday. Our officers conducted extensive enquiries during this investigation to locate Gary Anderson, and we thank everyone for their help and co-operation.

“I also wish to thank AGS colleagues, in particular, who arrested Gary Anderson today and for all of their help with this investigation over the last week.

“PSNI is now working with relevant authorities in order to return Gary Anderson to custody, and we will provide an update in due course.”

Temporary release had been ordered by court

Anderson is serving a 15-year sentence imposed in 2023 for the murder of father-of-five Karol Kelly in Derry in 2018. He and his brother Sean Anderson were convicted of the killing.

The Northern Ireland Prison Service had initially refused Gary Anderson compassionate temporary release to attend his father’s funeral. However, following an urgent judicial review, a court ordered that he be released for a short period subject to conditions.

He subsequently absconded from his court-approved civilian chaperone on the morning of 14 September and was last seen in the Eastway area of Creggan.

Questions over handling of release

The case has prompted scrutiny over the circumstances surrounding Anderson’s temporary release. Justice Minister Naomi Long told the Northern Ireland Assembly on Monday that an independent review was being commissioned.

The Department of Justice had previously said information concerning an opportunity for the Prison Service to reconsider its original decision was not communicated to those within NIPS responsible for the decision. The Minister said she was “deeply concerned” about the circumstances and conscious of the distress caused to the family of Karol Kelly.

Following today’s arrest in Buncrana, the immediate search for Anderson has ended, with the PSNI now working with the relevant authorities to secure his return to custody.