Convicted killer Eamonn Lillis is believed to be in England tonight, after being freed from prison in Dublin earlier today.

The 57-year-old travelled straight from Wheatfield Prison to Dublin Airport in a taxi this morning, where he was due to board a plane to Britain this afternoon.

It is understood he has contacts in Britain and France.

Yesterday, Mr Lillis refused to sign the papers that would have allowed him to leave Wheatfield jail in West Dublin, because of the large media presence waiting for him outside.

However Mr Lillis, who was jailed in February 2010 for the manslaughter of his wife Celine Cawley, had until 10am this morning to be released.

Mr Lillis was sentenced to six years and 11 months in jail in February 2010 for the manslaughter of his wife Celine Cawley - however he received a 25% reduction in his sentence for good behaviour.

He was cleared of his wife's murder, with the post mortem evidence being that he killed her with moderate force.

Their house Rowan Hill has since been sold. Mr Lillis (57) received over €400,000 from the sale as he had a joint share in the property with his late wife.

He also benefitted from the sale of an investment apartment they had bought in Sutton - and netted a share of the profits from the dissolution of the couple's film company, Toytown productions.

Celine Cawley's share was left in trust for their daughter Georgia, who said in High Court proceedings that she would rather stick pins in her eyes that reunite with her father.

News Reporter with the Irish Sun Michael Doyle trailed Eamonn Lillis to the airport following his release this morning: