A former mayor of Waterford and serving Fine Gael city councillor has been released on bail after he was arrested and charged with battery following a disturbance at a wedding in the United States at the weekend.
Cllr Hilary Quinlan (50), of Daisy Terrace, Waterford, was arrested by police in Bloomington, Illinois, after they were called to the scene of a disturbance at a wedding at the Chateau Hotel, 1601 Jumer Drive, Bloomington, in the early hours of last Saturday.
Mr Quinlan was arrested by police and charged with domestic battery of his wife's niece, Helena Brown.
The charge was later altered to simple battery and Mr Quinlan was brought to McClean County Jail, Illinois, where he was detained for two days.
According to a spokesman for McClean County Jail, Mr Quinlan was released at about noon on Monday after he posted $100 bail. He is due to appear at McClean County Circuit Court on November 7th for arraignment on the battery charge.
Mr Quinlan was elected mayor of Waterford in June 2005 for a third time. He previously served as mayor of the city in 1991/1992 and 2001/2002.
He was first elected to the city council in 1985 when he replaced his uncle, Cllr Billy Quinlan, who had retired.
Mr Quinlan is currently a member of Waterford City Council's Planning Strategic Policy Committee and sits on the HSE South Regional Health Forum.
He has also served on the Waterford City Enterprise Board and the South East Tourism Authority.
Mr Quinlan, who is married with three children, could not be contacted yesterday for comment on his arrest, despite repeated attempts by The Irish Times via phone and e-mail.
It is believed Mr Quinlan is still in the United States.