Corkman accused of cutting man's throat with broken bottle in daytime city centre attack

The victim of the alleged bottle attack, a 32-year-old man, has died in hospital

Aaron Babbington appeared before Cork District Court on Friday. Picture: Larry Cummins

A 32-year-old man who suffered severe injuries in an alleged bottle attack in Cork city earlier this week has died in hospital.

Jason Butler was allegedly slashed in the throat during the daylight incident on Grand Parade at around 7.30pm on Wednesday.

Aaron Babbington, aged 29, of 25 Churchfield Avenue, Churchfield, Cork, has been charged with assault causing harm in connection with the incident.

Gardaí told Cork District Court that Mr Babbington is clearly identifiable on CCTV footage of the incident.

Detective Garda Patrick Russell told the court: “I believe there is strong evidence that on June 14, 2023, at 7.38pm, the injured party was in the company of the accused and his [Babbington’s] partner and that he was approached by the accused and stabbed in the neck with a broken bottle.”

The detective also alleged that a number of witnesses saw what happened and identified him to gardaí.

In relation to bail for the accused, Det Garda Russell objected to bail on various grounds, including the seriousness of the alleged offence.

“He spends a lot of time in and around Cork City. There are strong concerns he would make approaches to witnesses if granted bail.”

Frank Buttimer, solicitor for Mr Babbington, said in the course of the bail application that gardaí could apply for an order excluding Babbington from Cork city centre instead of denying his client bail altogether. 

Det Garda Russell said the accused, Mr Babbington, would not adhere to such an order.

Judge Olann Kelleher refused bail and remanded him in custody until June 22.