The cops eventually corralled the critters back into a trailer, but not before they caused a five-mile traffic jam.

But it gets even stranger than that.

Apparently there are warring circus barons roaming the streets of the Emerald Isle.

When Scholl's animals got loose, his rival circus guys started claiming that he let them out on purpose.

You know, for publicity ... Because nothing says "Hey friend! Check out my circus!" like forcing people to sit through a hellacious, animal-poop-intensive commute.

"There's no way this was a publicity stunt. If these llamas hit a car and killed somebody, who are they going to arrest, me or the llamas?" Scholl said.

Ummmm ... yeah.