Murderer who escaped from Northern Ireland prison remanded in Donegal custody

A man accused of murder who fled from custody in Northern Ireland has been remanded in custody after being arrested in County Donegal.

Gary Anderson, 29, appeared by videolink at Letterkenny District Court today. Garda Sergeant Jim Collins informed Judge Emile Daly that directions from the Director of Public Prosecutions were not yet ready and requested a two‑week adjournment.

Anderson, a native of Derry, had been on temporary release from Maghaberry Prison to attend his father’s funeral and absconded nine days later. He has been in custody since last Wednesday following his arrest at a caravan and campsite in the Fahan area.

The charge relates to his presence at the Fahan Marina Caravan and Campsite on 23 September 2026, contrary to Section 3(1) of the Criminal Law (Jurisdiction) Act 1976. Detective Conroy testified that Anderson was arrested at 1.44 pm under the same section.

Anderson did not speak during the brief hearing. He is serving a life sentence for the 2023 murder of Karol Kelly in Derry.

Source: Donegal Daily. Photo: Matheus Bertelli / Pexels.