A Cork dentist has denied a charge of sexually assaulting a dental nurse during an examination at his practice over five years ago.
John Tait of Glen House, Upper Rochestown, Cork, was giving evidence on the second day of his trial at the Circuit Criminal Court in Cork.
He has pleaded not guilty to a single count of sexually assaulting the then 20-year old woman.
Mr Tait told Judge Raymond Fullam and a jury he totally rejected any allegation of impropriety or of inappropriate activity when he conducted an examination on the young woman at his practice at St Patrick's Terrace, Douglas, in Cork.
The woman told the court yesterday that, having asked her to remove her bra, Mr Tait lifted her vest to expose her breasts and chest.
She said she was "mortified".
In the witness box, Mr Tait denied asking the nurse to remove her bra and also denied lifting her vest.
He said he was devastated when the allegations were put to him by gardaí in October 2009, after the woman made a complaint to them.
Mr Tait said he realised the seriousness of the allegations and was devastated for himself, his wife and his family.
He said it was very hard for his family to live with the allegations and he was incredulous of the whole thing.
Closing arguments are expected to be made in the trial tomorrow.
