A MAN escaped from Dublin Circuit Criminal Court yesterday just seconds after he pleaded guilty to robbery.
Niall O'Connor (20), of Glin Road, Coolock, was being taken from Court 24 to the holding cell beside it after pleading guilty to the theft of cash from Supervalu at Clonkeen Road in Deansgrange on August 6th, 1996.
He bolted through the crowd in the lobby and out through the front door into Chancery Place. Wearing one handcuff, he ran into nearby Smithfield vegetable and fruit market and escaped from prison officers who were pursuing him.
His escape from the court comes a day after Judge Cyril Kelly branded it as a "certified fire hazard" with "prehistoric facilities" and totally unsuitable for use as the busiest criminal court in the State. Judge Kelly said the court was expected to soldier on with 30-year-old facilities even though the capital's heroin epidemic had caused an "explosion of crime" and work for the court. Gardai last night reported they were still searching for the man.