Police in Northern Ireland have launched an urgent search for Gary Anderson, 29, a convicted murderer who failed to return to Maghaberry Prison after being released on day leave. The PSNI has appealed directly to Anderson to hand himself in and has warned the public not to approach him if seen, treating him as unlawfully at large.

Anderson was jailed for 15 years in 2023 for the murder of father-of-five Karol Kelly, who died after being stabbed several times during an altercation on Grafton Street in Londonderry in the early hours of 4 March 2018. He and his brother Sean Anderson were both convicted over the killing. Anderson is described as around 5ft 11in tall with a slim build and brown hair; he was released from Maghaberry on Monday but did not return as required. Anyone with information is asked to contact police on 101, quoting reference 555 of 14/09/26, rather than approach him directly.