A round-up of today's regional news stories in brief
Dentist gets bail after sex charges
A dentist (58) has been remanded on bail after he was charged with two counts of sexual assaulting a female at his dental surgery in Cork.
John Tait appeared before Cork District Court yesterday charged with two counts of sexually assaulting the woman at his surgery at St Patrick’s Tce, Douglas on December 20th, 2006.
Sgt Derek Mulcahy gave evidence of arresting Mr Tait from Glen House, Upper Rochestown, Cork on June 10th last and he told how Mr Tait made no reply to the charges after caution.
Judge David Riordan adjourned the matter until October 6th to decide on jurisdiction and other issues.
SF woman elected mayor in Donegal
Sinn Féin’s Cllr Cora Harvey (32) was elected as mayor of Donegal County Council yesterday. It is the first time since the foundation of the state an SF member has held the position. She defeated Fianna Fáil nominee Cllr Ciarán Brogan on a vote of 18-11.
A mental health counsellor with the HSE, Ms Harvey is only the second woman ever to be leader of the council.
In the 2009 local elections, Ms Harvey topped the poll in the Stranorlar electoral area with 2,226 first preference votes and was elected on the first count.
Arson attack on bishop's grounds
Gardaí in Tuam, Co Galway, are investigating extensive damage to property, including a suspected arson attack, on the premises of
Archbishop Michael Neary of Tuam.
A car belonging to Dr Neary’s secretary, Fr Fintan Monaghan, was burned out, and a gate lodge on church property was vandalised late on Tuesday night or early yesterday morning.
Gardaí also received reports of damage to other cars and property in the town, which they are also investigating.
They have appealed for any witnesses to contact them.