A well-known Republican has appeared in court charged with stabbing his wife in a house in Cavan, on Christmas Eve.

According to the Irish Daily Mirror Pearse McAuley of Canal Bank Walk, Castleforde, Ballyconnell, Co Cavan was accused of assault causing harm to Pauline Tully McAuley after she was found with serious stab wounds to the upper body three days ago.

Mr McAuley was also charged with three counts of threatening to kill his wife, who is a former Sinn Féin Councillor, and two other people on the same date.

Pearse McAuley was granted free legal aid and remains in custody tonight, before his next court appearance in Harristown District Court on January 2nd.

 Much is being made of Mr McAuley's previous criminal record - he's reported to be well known in Republican circles and has served time in prison in the South for a serious crime carried out in the 90s.

If found guilty, his past would most likely be taken into consideration by a judge when deciding on any possible sentence.