Brothers to spend more than 30 years in jail for murder of Londonderry father Karol Kelly

Two brothers have been handed life sentences for murdering a father-of-five in Londonderry and will spend a combined total of 32 years in jail.

In March 2018, Mr Kelly initially confronted Gary (25) and Sean (24) Anderson inside their Grafton Street home, but the brothers chased him into the street where he was stabbed seven times.

A judge at Londonderry Crown Court accepted that Gary Anderson played a lesser role in the attack and sentenced him to 15 years. Sean Anderson - who was responsible for most of the victim's stab wounds - was jailed for 17 years.

Both men are of Grafton Street in the city.

Speaking after the sentence was handed down, PSNI Detective Inspector Michelle Griffin said: “Mr Kelly, accompanied by another man, had gone to the home of the Andersons to confront the brothers.

“On leaving the address he was pursued by the defendants, who had armed themselves with kitchen knives, and was viciously attacked. He sustained multiple wounds, including stab wounds to his chest and abdomen and, sadly, died.

“This was a brutal attack, which took a young man’s life, and leaves five children without their father.

“It’s over five years on since this tragic event and the family, understandably, remain heartbroken and bereft.  They have had to, once again, recall each and every detail of such a cruel, senseless and irreversible attack.

“My thoughts are with them today.  I can only hope that today’s outcome allows them to start their grieving process.

“I also hope that it sends out a clear message that we are committed to bringing offenders before the courts, where they will be held accountable for their actions and that no one should take the law into their own hands.”

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