In Short

A round-up of today's other stories in brief.

A round-up of today's other stories in brief.

Woman charged with passing heroin by kiss

A woman charged with passing drugs to her lover through a "full-blown French kiss" inside a courthouse has been remanded on continuing bail.

Suzanne Dowling (28), Castlecomer, Co Kilkenny, appeared before Castlecomer District Court yesterday charged with supplying two wraps of heroin to a man in custody through a kiss.

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Prison officer John Howlin had told an earlier sitting of the court that on April 19th, 2007, a woman called Suzanne had approached a prisoner and kissed him, passing him a prohibited article. "After the kiss the prisoner gagged because the object was too big to swallow," Mr Howlin said.

He said the prisoner was brought to the van and the article, which proved to be heroin, was recovered.

"To suggest he got the drugs any other way would be stretching the imagination," Mr Howlin told the court.

Michael Lanigan, solicitor for Ms Dowling, yesterday said there had been "insufficient" evidence to identify his client as the person who passed the drugs. The prison officer had told the court a woman "called Suzanne" had passed the drugs but did not identify her as Ms Dowling.

Judge William Harnett remanded Ms Dowling on continuing bail to appear at Castlecomer District Court in February.

Call for brewery to be transformed

The deputy Lord Mayor of Cork has urged that the historic Beamish and Crawford brewery in the city should be transformed into a key tourist attraction.

Earlier this month Heineken announced its intention to close the old brewery on South Main Street in Cork city next March, with the loss of 120 jobs. Forty employees have been offered new positions at the Heineken brewery in Leitrim Street.

Deputy Lord Mayor of Cork Patricia Gosch is hoping the site can be turned into a main focal point for Cork tourism.

"People are interested in the brewing industry and it would be an attraction for tourism here because the building is such a historic building and I don't think it should be destroyed."

Ms Gosch added: "I think the best use that could be made of it would be the use it has already to have a small amount of brewing kept going there. We could have it as a tourist landmark in the city. A building like that is a unique landmark."

Heineken Ireland said it decided to close following a "a review of both individual brewing operations with particular focus on capacity, expansion capability and future investment".

Founded in 1792, the brewery of William Beamish and William Crawford was established on a site near the Southgate Bridge in Cork, where beer has been brewed since the 1500s.

Neighbours rally for burnt church

The congregation of a Presbyterian church whose hall was attacked by arsonists 10 days ago has paid tribute to the generosity of neighbours of all religions.

Ian McCracken, clerk of session of the church in St Johnston, Co Donegal, said offers of support and cash for the church had poured in. He said it was now feared the repair bill for the damage could top €60,000 - twice the original estimate.

A chair lift for the disabled was set on fire and a door and plate-glass window were broken in the attack. Floor tiles were cracked by the heat and there was considerable smoke damage.

Mr McCracken said there was great encouragement for the Presbyterian members at a cross-community carol session in the village's nearby Catholic church on Sunday night.

"The support from our Catholic neighbours has been superb. There is a strong message going out loud and clear that this type of behaviour is not acceptable anywhere in our community."