A manhunt has been launched after a notorious criminal escaped from Garda custody after he appeared at Letterkenny District Court.
William Reilly, who has 35 previous convictions, was facing criminal damage and assault on Monday morning last.
His case was delayed and was adjourned leading the 25-year-old to launch into an outburst in court.
But when he was being led away to a Garda car in handcuffs, Reilly managed to flee and jumped a barrier before fleeing towards the High Road in Letterkenny.
The well-known criminal said he hid in two garden sheds as Gardai searched for him and then claimed he later walked past the Garda station on New Line Road.
On the run Reilly
In a bizarre twist, Reilly has since contacted The Star newspaper and claims he had no choice but to flee.
He claims he is considering handing himself in but bragged he could easily stay away from Gardai for two to three years if he wanted to.
The father-of-two is believed to be hiding out somewhere in Donegal.