NI judge defends compassionate release of murderer who remains at large

A judge has publicly justified the compassionate release of Gary Anderson, a convicted murderer serving 15 years for the 2018 killing of Karol Kelly in Londonderry, after he failed to return to prison and remains on the run. The case highlights a potential lapse in the release decision process and raises questions about the adequacy of risk assessment in compassionate release protocols. The development is notable for its implications for public safety and judicial accountability in Northern Ireland.