A convicted murderer who escaped from custody in Northern Ireland has appeared in court after being arrested in Co Donegal yesterday.
Gary Anderson appeared at a special sitting of Letterkenny District Court this morning. The 29-year-old had been unlawfully at large for more than a week.
Anderson, who is from Derry, had been on temporary release from prison and absconded while attending his father’s funeral.
He was serving life in prison after being jailed in 2023 for the murder of Karol Kelly in Derry.
He was arrested following a Garda operation at Fahan Marina caravan campsite in Fahan just before 2pm yesterday.
Wearing a black sweatshirt and black tracksuit bottoms, Anderson was accompanied to court by detectives.
Detective Garda Jason Conroy gave details of the arrest, charge and caution of the accused.
Anderson is charged that on September 23rd, 2026, at Fahan Marina Caravan and Campsite in Fahan, was present having escaped from Maghaberry Prison, Ballinderry Upper, Lisburn, Co Antrim.
The charge is Contrary to Section 3 (1) of the Criminal Law (Jurisdiction) Act, 1976.
Detective Conroy told how he arrested Anderson at 1.44pm at Fahan Marina campsite under Section 3 of the Criminal Law (Jurisdiction) Act, 1976.
Anderson was told why he was being arrested but made no reply.
At 8.47pm the accused was charged and handed a true copy of the charge sheet and again made no reply.
Garda Sergeant Jim Collins told the court that there had been no application for bail from Anderson’s legal representatives, who were instructed by solicitor Kevin Winters of Belfast-based KRW Law.
Sergeant Collins said he was seeking directions from the Director of Public Prosecutions in the case and was seeking to have the accused remanded in custody.
He applied to Judge Emile Daly for an adjournment in the case to allow for these directions.
Judge Daly adjourned the case for Anderson to appear by videolink to Letterkenny District Court on Monday next, September 28th.
His solicitor said that while he understood Judge Daly could not direct that Anderson be held in another prison other than Castlerea Prison, he asked the Judge to recommend another prison because of what he termed “other parties involved.”
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