A round-up of today's other news in brief.
Man guilty of attempted rape, assault
A man has been found guilty at the Central Criminal Court of attempting to rape a 17-year-old girl in a laneway after meeting her at a nightclub on Christmas Eve two years ago.
James Cronin (23), Rathmore, Co Kerry, was found guilty of attempted rape and assault with intent to commit rape by the jury but not guilty of threatening to kill her.
Mr Justice Kevin O'Higgins remanded him in custody for sentence on February 2nd, 2007.
Judge attacks McDowell remarks
A strong attack on recent comments by Minister for Justice Michael McDowell about the judiciary was made by Judge John Neilan at yesterday's sitting of Tullamore District Court.
He took particular exception to a comment which he attributed to Mr McDowell, whom he quoted as denying that he was "dumping on the judiciary".
Asking if this meant the Minister was denying that he was defecating on the judiciary, he asked "Where was he educated?" and said his words were "an appalling use of the English language".
Judge Neilan also said he was "frustrated and exhausted" at the "continued intervention of a member of the Executive" in judicial affairs.
Remand on kidnap charges
A man has been further remanded in custody by Tralee District Court in connection with assault and false imprisonment charges in the Dublin mountains. He is charged with falsely imprisoning a woman and with assault causing harm, at Military Road, Glasamucky, Co Dublin, on November 19th.
Man fails to have sentence reduced
A man jailed for eight years for stabbing another man on Dublin's River Liffey boardwalk in March 2003 has lost his attempt to have his sentence reduced.
William Higgins (33), Stoneybatter, Dublin, was jailed last January by Judge Donagh McDonagh at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court after he pleaded guilty to assault causing serious harm to Mark Duggan on March 15th, 2003.
Suspended term for having cocaine
A Dublin man who held cocaine valued at €70,000 under the seat of his car for "people involved in the drugs trade" has been given an eight-year suspended sentence at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court. Anthony Swift (21) Whitebrook Park, Tallaght, pleaded guilty to possession of cocaine valued at €70,000 and two shotguns on December 21st, 2005.