Man, 36, appears in court over Waterford stabbing

A 36-year-old man has appeared before Waterford District Court charged in connection with the stabbing of a woman in her 50s as she attended church in Tramore yesterday morning.

Niall Cummins from the Willows, Clarinwood in Tramore appeared briefly before Judge John Cheatle, who heard from Sergeant Robert Flynn that he had made no reply following his arrest and caution yesterday morning.

He is charged with section 3 assault causing harm to the woman, who was taken to University Hospital Waterford, where she is being treated for non-life-threatening injuries.

Mr Cummins is also charged with the possession of a knife at the Holy Cross church in Tramore on the same date.

The incident occurred shortly before 10am Mass as the woman was saying the rosary at Holy Cross Church in Summerhill.

Emergency services were alerted at 9.45am, and multiple garda units attended the scene.

The court heard that Mr Cummins was not represented by a solicitor in court today and that he was reserving his position in relation to bail.

When the judge asked the man if he was applying for bail, he replied "not really".

The case was put back until Monday when the man is expected to appear again at the same court via video link.

The judge heard the State is expected to object to any application for bail.

A psychiatric evaluation was also ordered for Mr Cummins following today's brief court hearing.