Murderer on the loose after being allowed out on day release as police launch urgent manhunt

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The public have been warned not to approach Gary Anderson, who was jailed for the 'really brutal and savage' murder of a father-of-five

A convicted murderer is on the loose after being allowed out of prison on day release and failing to return.

Police have launched an urgent manhunt for Gary Anderson, 29, who is serving a life sentence for the murder of father-of-five Karol Kelly.

The Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) has appealed directly to Anderson to hand himself in and warned members of the public not to approach him.

Anderson was granted day release from prison on Monday but failed to return and is now unlawfully at large.

He was sentenced in 2023 for the murder of Mr Kelly, with a minimum term of 15 years.

Mr Kelly was stabbed several times during an altercation in Grafton Street, Londonderry, in the early hours of March 4, 2018.

Anderson and his brother Sean Anderson were both found guilty of the murder.

Sean Anderson was ordered to serve a minimum of 17 years, while Gary Anderson received a minimum term of 15 years.

At their sentencing, Judge Philip Babington described the attack on Mr Kelly as involving "gratuitous violence".

The judge said Gary Anderson had "played a lesser role" and had shown remorse.

However, he added that Anderson had still "played a part in this horrific crime".

Detective Inspector Michelle Griffin described Mr Kelly's murder as "really brutal and savage".

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She said the brothers "savagely stabbed him to the chest and the abdomen, and he very quickly died from his injuries".

Following the sentencing, Mr Kelly's brother Paul said "five children were robbed of their childhood and memories with their daddy".

He said: "After five long emotionally draining years our family are ready to close down this horrible chapter in our lives - as a family, we have struggled with the public nature of [Karol's] death and now want to keep him in our hearts where he is safe, at peace and loved forever."

Police are now appealing for information from the public as they attempt to locate Anderson.

He is described as approximately five feet 11 inches tall, of slim build and with brown hair.

A PSNI spokesman said: “We appeal directly to Gary to hand himself in.

“We would also ask anyone who has seen him, or who knows of his whereabouts, not to approach him directly but to contact police on 101, quoting reference 555 of 14/09/26.”