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Justice minister says lessons must be learned from on-the-run killer case

PSNI Handout Mugshot of man with short dark hair and a grey sweaterPSNI Handout
Gary Anderson was jailed for life in 2023 for the murder of Karol Kelly

Justice Minister Naomi Long has said it is "critical that the criminal justice system learns from the events" around the handling of the compassionate temporary release application by Gary Anderson "to avoid any retraumatisation of victims".

She has published the terms of reference for an independent review into the circumstances of his release.

Anderson, 29, who was convicted of murder, was unlawfully at large for more than a week before he was arrested in the Republic of Ireland on 23 September.

He was jailed for life in 2023, alongside his brother, for the murder of Karol Kelly in Londonderry. He was on temporary release from prison to attend his father's funeral when he absconded.

Anderson was arrested by An Garda Síochána (Irish police) at a property in County Donegal.

Karol Kelly's sister had said the family felt "let down" by the justice system after learning that he was on the run.

The circumstances surrounding Anderson's release sparked a political row in Northern Ireland, with Long denying that she had misled the assembly over the matter.

On Thursday, Long said that she met with the family of Karol Kelly last week and acknowledged "it has been a deeply distressing time for them".

She announced that Phil Copple, formerly Director General of Operations in HM Prison and Probation Service, has agreed to lead the review.

Long said the purpose of the review is to:

  • Provide an independent and objective assessment of the handling and outworkings of the Compassionate Temporary Release (CTR) application
  • Establish the relevant facts and chronology
  • Consider whether the actions and decisions taken were reasonable and consistent with the relevant legal, policy and procedural framework
  • Identify any learning or improvements that may be required
Getty Images Naomi Long, a woman with red hair and green eyes.Getty Images
Naomi Long said she would update the assembly on the outcome of the review

Long added that the review will examine the decisions and circumstances which led to the release of Anderson and "provide an independent and objective assessment of the handling and outworkings of his CTR application".

"Its purpose is to establish the facts, understand what happened and when, identify any lessons arising from the handling of the case, and make recommendations for improvement," she said.

"Where lessons can be learned, they must be learned, and where improvements are required, they must be made.

"This is critical for the handling of future applications for CTR."

She said that she had asked that "the review be progressed as expeditiously as possible so that any lessons can be identified and any necessary improvements implemented at the earliest opportunity".

Long said she would update the Northern Ireland Assembly on "the outcome of the review and any recommendations arising from its findings".