The police are being forced to explain how a convicted criminal was able to escape after being arrested and handcuffed in an incident which has been described as “ridiculous”.
Christopher Kearns, from Belfast, was initially given a three-year sentence for offences linked to an incident involving his former partner and then released on licence after serving eight months.
The 23-year-old broke the strict conditions that had been applied to his release, resulting in police officers arresting and handcuffing him at his home in west Belfast with the intent of returning him to prison.
Kearns managed to escape and ran off while still in handcuffs. He was chased on foot by officers who were unable to catch him.
He then allegedly went on to commit a series of offences over the course of several days while on the run, according to the BBC.
Kearns was found six days later after police officers responded to an incident where a motorcyclist had fallen off a bike after driving erratically.
After being treated in hospital for his injuries, Kearns was returned to prison eight days after his initial arrest.
Sinn Féin described the incident as "ridiculous" and said the police have serious questions to answer.
Alex Maskey, West Belfast's Member of Legislative Assembly (MLA) and former policing board member, said he wants to speak to the local officers.
"This is a matter of concern to people in the area. People are scratching their heads as to how this person was arrested in his home, handcuffed, but still managed to make good his escape,” he told the BBC.
"The police have a lot of questions to answer here as to how they allowed what really is, unfortunately, a debacle.
"It's not good for policing, it's certainly not good for the community and people will be rightfully expecting serious answers from the Police Service of Northern Ireland as to how it allowed this.”
Kearns is now expected to serve the remaining 18 months of his sentence in prison.
The Independent has contacted the Police Service of Northern Ireland for a comment.
