Police are searching for Gary Anderson, a convicted murderer who fled after being temporarily released from prison to attend his father’s funeral. The Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) has urged Anderson to surrender himself and warned the public not to approach him. Anderson, 29, was on day release on Monday to attend the funeral of his father. He is described as 5 feet 11 inches tall, of slim build, and with brown hair. Anderson was sentenced to 15 years in 2023 for the murder of Karol Kelly, who was stabbed multiple times during an altercation on Grafton Street in Londonderry on March 4, 2018. Both Anderson and his brother, Sean Anderson, were found guilty of the killing. Anderson had initially applied for compassionate release from prison, but his request was denied by the Northern Ireland Prison Service. However, a court later overturned the decision and ordered a short period of release. Anderson was released but ran away from his chaperone, who had been approved by the court and was not a prison officer. Justice Minister Naomi Long stated that the escape was not due to any flaws in the compassionate release program. She added that the Prison Service had done all necessary checks and concluded that Anderson was not safe to be released, but the court had set aside that decision. DUP MLA Trevor Clarke raised an urgent question in the Assembly, asking Justice Minister Naomi Long to explain the situation. The PSNI is appealing to the public for help in locating Anderson. Anyone with information is encouraged to contact the police on 101, quoting reference 555 of 14/09/26, or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.