Corkman charged with murder on city centre street sent forward for trial

Aaron Babbington faces trial by judge and jury at the Central Criminal Court for the murder of Jason Butler on Grand Parade in Cork City on June 14 last

Aaron Babbington is charged with the murder of Jason Butler on June 14 at Grand Parade, Cork. Picture: Larry Cummins

A book of evidence was served on Tuesday on a 30-year-old Cork man accused of murdering another man on Grand Parade in Cork City on an evening last June.

Aaron Babbington now faces trial by judge and jury at the Central Criminal Court. When that trial date will be set will be a matter for that court to determine.

Sergeant Pat Lyons confirmed at Cork District Court on Tuesday that he served the book of evidence on Mr Babbington. On the sergeant’s application, Judge Mary Dorgan sent the case forward from the district court to the Central Criminal Court.

Judge Dorgan gave the accused the required warning that he must notify the State within a fortnight of any witnesses he might be calling if he is relying on an alibi defence. This warning is given in all cases that are sent forward for trial by indictment.

Defence solicitor Frank Buttimer asked for free legal aid to be extended to cover a senior counsel and a junior counsel to represent Mr Babbington at his trial. Judge Dorgan acceded to that application. The accused was remanded in custody.

Aaron Babbington, 30, was charged on December 5 with the murder of a 32-year-old man in the centre of Cork City last June.

Detective Garda Pat Russell formally arrested Aaron Babbington and charged him at Cork District Court with the murder of Jason Butler on June 14 at Grand Parade, Cork, contrary to Common Law. 

At the time of his arrest last year, Mr Babbington, formerly of Churchfield Avenue, Churchfield, Cork, was asked he if had any reply after being charged and cautioned and he made no reply to the murder charge.

It was previously alleged the late Mr Butler was slashed in the throat during the daylight incident on Grand Parade at abot 7.30pm that Wednesday and died two days later. 

The late Mr Butler was originally from Castleredmond in Midleton, Co Cork.