Gary Anderson: Sister's 'disbelief' after Karol Kelly's killer released - BBC News
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Victim's family 'let down' by justice system after killer disappears during father's funeral
Image caption: Francesca Kelly says they were only told her brother's killer had been released from prison after he absconded.
By Gerry Bradley
BBC News NI
Published 22 September 2026, 11:52 BST
Updated 1 hour ago
The sister of a man whose killer has been on the run for eight days has expressed her family's disbelief and frustration at the situation.
Gary Anderson and his brother Sean were jailed for life in 2023 for the murder of Karol Kelly in Londonderry in 2018.
Anderson was freed from Maghaberry prison for two hours last Monday after a court sitting the previous day overturned a decision by the Northern Ireland Prison Service (NIPS) not to release him.
Francesca Kelly, speaking publicly for the first time since Anderson went on the run, said her family had no idea he had been released from prison until after he absconded.
"At that stage the prisoner had already absconded for a few hours, so we weren't aware at all of any application for compassionate leave," she told BBC News NI.
"There was initially a sense of disbelief. I felt that maybe he would go missing for a few hours but eventually hand himself in."
She described the past week as exhausting for her family, adding: "The trauma... sits quietly within each and every one of us and it only takes one slight trigger, and you're right back to that night, you're right back to that graveside, you're right back to that courtroom - and that's a very difficult place to be."
Francesca accused the justice system of letting down her family, Karol's five children, the wider family, and the jury at Anderson's trial.
"It has also let down those brave witnesses who took the stand... ensuring they could share what they'd seen and experienced that night," she said.
She had a message for Anderson:
"I don't think a life where you're constantly looking over your shoulder, where you're not able to integrate in society or with those you love, I don't call that being free."
She expressed hope that eventually Anderson would be returned to his cell.